According to IA Norilsk novosti, Alfa Bank has increased the price of MMC Norilsk Nickel shares by 27% — up to $84 per a share. On December 23, 2003, their price amounted to $64,7.

This increase is explained by the world’s prices f nickel increase. Alfa Bank’s experts inform that in 2003 MMC Norilsk Nickel will sell 300 thou tons of nickel, 442 thou tons of copper, 850 thou troy ounces of platinum, 2,46 mln troy ounces of palladium and 1,06 mln troy ounces of gold.

In 2004 MMC Norilsk Nickel is expected to realise 245 thou tons of nickel, 449 thou tons of copper, 850 thou troy ounce of platinum, 2,73 mln troy ounces of palladium and 1,48 mln troy ounces of gold.

According to the Bank’s experts, the principal catalysts of Norilsk Nickel shares next year will be the publications of metals reserves (I quarter 2004), IAS publications for 2003 (II quarter), the data about platinoids production and reserves (II quarter), the auction for the Sukhoi Log sale (II quarter)etc.