MOSCOW, March 25 (Reuters) - The rouble hit a one-week
low past 93 to the dollar on Monday as the Russian market
reopened after a deadly shooting rampage near Moscow on Friday
evening, with the Russian currency supported by high oil prices
and month-end tax payments.
Russia lowered flags to half-mast for a day of mourning and
charged four men it accused of gunning down scores of people at
a concert outside Moscow on Friday night in the deadliest attack
inside Russia for two decades.
At 0730 GMT, the rouble was unchanged against the dollar at
92.81, having dipped to a one-week low in early
trade. It had lost 0.1% to trade at 100.36 versus the euro
and shed 0.3% against the yuan to 12.78
.
Investors were also reacting to Friday's interest rate hold
at 16%. The Bank of Russia warned that inflationary pressure
remained high and that tight monetary conditions would be
maintained for a long time to try to return inflation to the
bank's 4% target.
Brent crude oil, a global benchmark for Russia's
main export, was up 0.4% at $85.76 a barrel.
The rouble should also be supported this week by month-end
taxes that usually see exporters convert foreign currency
revenues to pay local liabilities.
Russian stock indexes were lower.
The dollar-denominated RTS index was down 0.5% to
1,107.0 points. The rouble-based MOEX Russian index was
0.4% lower at 3,259.5 points.
For Russian equities guide see
For Russian treasury bonds see