The Russian rouble strengthened slightly against the U.S. dollar on Friday ahead of the central bank’s rate-setting meeting, following a two-day correction that interrupted the rally fuelled by talks between the United States and Russia.
By 0840 GMT, the rouble was up 0.5% at 84.52 against the dollar in the over-the-counter market. The Russian currency had lost about 4% against the dollar over the previous two days, but has still gained more than 25% this year.
Against the Chinese yuan, the most traded foreign currency in Russia, the rouble was down 0.6% at 11.56 on the Moscow Stock Exchange.
The Russian central bank is expected to keep the key interest rate on hold at 21% during its meeting on Friday, according to a Reuters poll of economists conducted earlier this week.
Meanwhile, the rouble is anticipated to gradually retreat after its rally at the start of the year.
(Reporting by Gleb Bryanski)
