Russian stocks off 1.3% Amid Moscow Protests

Russian stocks fell more than 1% on Tuesday, pulling back from gains seen after Vladimir Putin won the country’s presidential election. The Russia RTS index (RU:RTS) +1.57% fell 1.2% to 1,730.88, nearly erasing Monday’s 1.5% gain.

Riot police were called in to break up a protest in central Moscow on Monday by those contesting Putin’s win, and three main opposition leaders were among 250 who were arrested. Independent Russian election overseer Golos said Putin was barely at the 50% level needed to avoid a second-round election, the Associated Press reported.