Russian rouble firms past 77 vs dollar, stocks reverse losses

(Reuters) -The Russian rouble firmed past 77 to the dollar in volatile trade on Wednesday, while stock indexes reversed earlier losses as the market watched developments around Ukraine and sanctions against Russia.

The country’s economy faces soaring inflation and capital flight while grappling with a possible debt default after the West imposed tough sanctions against Moscow for sending tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24.

By 1413 GMT, the rouble had gained 2.3% to 76.68 to the dollar, hovering near levels seen before Feb. 24. It briefly hit 71.8850 to the dollar on the Moscow Exchange.

Against the euro, the rouble added 2% to 82.34, heading away from an all-time low of 132.41 hit on the Moscow Exchange on March 10.

Trading activity remains subdued compared to levels seen before Feb. 24, while movements in the rouble are artificially limited by capital controls imposed in late February.

On Tuesday, the central bank slightly relaxed capital controls for export-focused companies outside the commodities and energy sectors, extending the deadline by which they need to convert foreign currency to roubles to 60 days from three days.

Last year, non-commodity and non-energy exports from Russia totalled $191 billion, or 38% of goods exports, Sberbank CIB analysts said.

The central bank’s move could result in a slight decline in market activity, but excessive FX supply remains in place, Promsvyazbank analysts said in a note.

The rouble will also find support from a record 3 trillion roubles ($39.1 billion) companies are due to pay in taxes this month, for which some export-focused firms need to sell foreign currency, according to analysts surveyed by Reuters.

“We think it could reach 75 (to the dollar) next week, as oil and gas exporters will be actively selling FX,” Sberbank CIB said.

On the bond market, where non-residents have not been allowed to sell paper since late February, yields on 10-year benchmark OFZ bonds fell to 10.16%, their lowest since Feb. 21, from around 11.6% seen a week ago. Yields move inversely with bond prices.

Bonds are driven by expectations that the central bank will consider cutting its key interest rates from 17% as soon as April 29.

Russian stock indexes were mixed after rapid swings from losses to gains.

The dollar-denominated RTS index was up 2% at 950.1 points. The rouble-based MOEX Russian index shed 0.2% to 2,312.8 points.

Shares in Russia’s largest lender Sberbank and VTB outperformed the market, gaining around 0.4% and 0.1%, respectively, after the central bank has said it will not publish banks’ financial statements on its website until October.

($1 = 76.70 roubles)

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta, Kirsten Donovan and Sandra Maler)