MOSCOW, Feb 3 (PRIME) -- Russia’s stock market inched upward on Friday supported by better than expected data concerning the U.S.’ falling unemployment market

The stock indices slipped down at the start of Friday’s trade, only to steadily recover over the course of the day, before seeing its gains accelerate by the closing bell. The RTS index rose by 1.31% to 1,624.00, while the MICEX index by 1.45% to 1,564.82.

“The main driver for the Russian stock market’s growth was the positive data on the U.S.’ jobless rates for January. Unemployment fell to 8.3%, which was under what analysts had expected. This is enough to drive the market, despite other negative news,” Investcafe analyst Ilya Rachnkov said.

Analysts had expected the U.S.’ unemployment rate to be at 8.5% for January.

Positive macroeconomic data usually provides strong support for the metallurgical and banking sectors, Investcafe analyst Ilya Rachnkov said. Norilsk Nickel on Friday closed 1.36% higher than the previous day, while NLMK and Seversal were up 3.28% and 1.10%, respectively.

Sberbank’s ordinary shares jumped 2.05%, while its preferred shares increased 2.04%. Alor analyst Natalia Lesina said Sberbank price grew as the Fitch rating agency affirmed its BBB rating on the bank’s dollar-denominated bonds. VTB Bank rose by 0.65%.

Russia’s gold producer Polyus Gold jumped 34.90% on Friday amid rumors of a possible merger with gold company Polymetal, Investcafe analyst Vitaly Mikhalchuk said.

Oil major Rosneft closed 1.59% higher due to a 19.7% growth in its net profit growth for 2011 under U.S. GAAP, Mikhalchuk added.

Below were the MICEX’ five most active stocks on Friday: