MOSCOW, March 19 (Reuters) - The Russian rouble steadied

near 92 to the dollar on Tuesday, holding on to the strong gains

made in the previous session, supported by high oil prices and

as investors hedged bets ahead of a rate decision later this

week.

The Russian currency had weakened throughout last week, but

strengthened sharply on Monday, the day after President Vladimir

Putin scored a record post-Soviet landslide victory in Russia's

election, cementing an already-tight grip on power.

At 0747 GMT, the rouble was steady against the dollar at

91.95 and had gained 0.1% to trade at 99.91

versus the euro. It had shed 0.1% against the

yuan to 12.74.

"Until the middle of next week, the rouble will be supported

by the approaching peak of the tax period, but, perhaps,

Friday's rhetoric from the central bank will be more important

for the domestic currency," said Alexei Antonov of Alor Broker.

All 24 analysts polled by Reuters this week anticipate a

rate hold at 16% on Friday, with many expecting the bank to

start easing borrowing costs in June.

The rouble's high volatility, significant government

spending and labour shortages are all risk factors that could

keep inflation high, said Alexander Fetisov of Rosselkhozbank.

"We assume that it will be more reasonable for the regulator

to 'wait out' the peak of inflation and begin easing no earlier

than the end of the second or beginning of the third quarter,"

Fetisov said.

Month-end tax payments, that usually see exporters convert

foreign currency revenues to pay local liabilities, should also

lend the rouble support.

Brent crude oil, a global benchmark for Russia's

main export, was down 0.1% at $86.78 a barrel. It reached its

highest level since earlier November in the previous session.

Russian stock indexes were higher.

The dollar-denominated RTS index was up 0.1% to

1,130.2 points. The rouble-based MOEX Russian index was

0.1% higher at 3,298.5 points.

For Russian equities guide see

For Russian treasury bonds see