NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Russian equities declined sharply on Monday, as falling commodity prices weighed on oil and mining stocks. In Moscow, the dollar-denominated RTS stock index fell 4.4% to 966.59 points, while the ruble-denominated Micex stock index dropped 4.8% to 969 points. The RTS and Micex indexes both fell over 10% last week. "Russia is the highest beta large market in the emerging market asset class and looks more vulnerable during a period of global weakness, especially if commodities also weaken," said Chris Weafer, chief strategist at Uralsib, in a note to clients.
