Russian stock index seen up in 2012 on oil, reform hopes

Russian share prices this year are expected to extend the rally that has lit up the first quarter as high oil prices and hopes for reform under Vladimir Putin's new presidency encourage investors, a Reuters poll showed on Thursday.
The poll of 14 analysts, taken over the past week, showed a median end-2012 forecast of 1,913 points for the dollar-traded RTS index, a level last seen as global equity markets began to tumble in early August 2011.
The prediction is a shade above the 1,851 points forecast in the previous poll taken in early December, and would translate as a year-on-year rise of 38 percent - the biggest gain since 2009.
An easing of the euro zone crisis, oil prices above $120 a barrel and a return to a more stable political environment have all contributed to a positive start to the year, sending Russian stocks up 19 percent since end-December.