MOSCOW, July 24 (Reuters) - The Russian rouble

strengthened against the dollar on Wednesday, helped by rising

foreign currency sales by exporting companies.

By 0800 GMT, the rouble was 1.5% higher at 86.55

against the dollar.

Russian exporters started converting their foreign currency

earnings into roubles ahead of corporate tax payments due on

July 29. These sales are supporting the Russian currency.

Sanctions on Moscow Exchange and its clearing

agent, the National Clearing Centre (NCC), led to a range of

varying prices and spreads as trading shifted to the

over-the-counter (OTC) market on June 14, obscuring access to

reliable pricing for the Russian currency.

Against the yuan, which had already become the most traded

foreign currency in Moscow before the latest sanctions were

imposed, the rouble firmed 0.6% to 11.83, according to an

analysis of the OTC market.

It was up 1.7% at 93.76 against the euro.

Brent crude oil, a global benchmark for Russia's

main export, was down 0.3% at $81.37 a barrel.