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Russian rouble damages as forex sales decrease

The Russian rouble compromised versus the dollar and the euro on Wednesday as foreign currency sales by exporting business decreased due to completion of the tax payment period.

By 0730 GMT, the rouble was 0.5% lower at 86.20 against the dollar.

Trading in major currencies shifted to the non-prescription market, obscuring the rates information, after Western sanctions on the Moscow Exchange and its cleaning representative, the National Clearing Centre, were introduced on July 12.

Sales of foreign currency by Russian exporting business, which boost throughout periods of corporate tax payments that must be made in roubles, are a major aspect affecting the currency trade.

The rouble received some assistance from the central bank's. decision to raise its key rate of interest by 200 basis points to. 18% last Friday.

Against the yuan, which had already become the most traded. foreign currency in Moscow before the latest sanctions were. imposed, the rouble was flat at 11.85, according to an analysis. of the OTC market.

It was down 0.8% at 93.51 against the euro.

Brent crude oil, an international benchmark for Russia's. primary export, was up 1.1% at $80.00 a barrel rebounding from. 7-week lows after the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in. Iran ratcheted up tensions in the Middle East.

(source: Reuters)