Rouble falls past 61 vs dollar

The rouble slid past 61 to the dollar on Monday as the conversion of depository receipts in Russian companies to local shares got underway, and as foreign investors from designated "friendly" countries were able to return to the bond market.

At 1029 GMT, the rouble was 1.5 per cent weaker against the dollar at 61.49, leaving the narrow range between 59.45 and 61.45 where it had spent nine trading session in a row.

It eased 0.2 per cent to 62.44 against the euro.

Rouble volatility has declined recently after wild swings which saw it hit a record low of 121.53 to the dollar on the Moscow Exchange in March, days after Russia sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine on February 24, and then rally to a seven-year peak of 50.01 in June.

The rouble is expected to find support from month-end tax payments that usually prompt export-focused companies to convert part of their foreign currency revenues.

On stock markets, the dollar-denominated RTS index (.IRTS) fell 1.4 per cent to 1,100.2 points, while the rouble-based MOEX Russian index was flat at 2,147.6 points.