UPDATE 2-Russian rouble jumps to 1-week high vs dollar after Fed shifts outlook

(Updates prices) By Alexander Marrow MOSCOW, March 23 (Reuters) - The Russian rouble climbed to a one-week high against a globally weaker dollar on Thursday after the U.S. Federal Reserve sounded close to calling time on interest rate hikes, while rising oil prices supported gains against the euro and yuan. By 1446 GMT the rouble was 1.4% stronger against the dollar at 76.01 , having earlier hit 75.7125, its strongest point since March 15. In a widely expected move, the Fed raised interest rates by 25 basis points but recast its outlook to a more cautious stance as a result of recent turmoil in financial markets spurred by the collapse of two U.S. banks. The rouble gained 0.6% to trade at 82.73 versus the euro , recovering from a more than 11-month low of 83.8850 touched early in the session. It firmed 0.6% against the yuan to 11.12 . The rouble should start gaining support from month-end tax payments, when Russian exporters' demand for roubles tends to increase as they convert foreign currency revenue to pay local liabilities.

"We continue to expect the return of the dollar-rouble pair to the 74-76 range," said Egor Zhilnikov of Promsvyazbank. "We note that exporters active on the market ahead of tax payments will lend additional support to the rouble." Brent crude oil , a global benchmark for Russia's main export, was up 0.3% at $76.9 a barrel. Brent's initial move lower after the Fed announcement indicated there were recession risks globally, said Sinara Investment Bank.

"However, the Russian (equity) market remains to a large degree isolated from 'overseas risks' and may consolidate until new triggers emerge," Sinara said.

Russian stock indexes were mixed. The rouble-based MOEX Russian index was 0.2% lower at 2,388.4 points, though not far from Tuesday's six-month high of 2,431.23 points, sparked by Sberbank's recommendation of a record dividend payout last week and consolidated by Chinese President Xi Jinping's Moscow visit. The dollar-denominated RTS index was up 1% at 989.9 points.
For Russian equities guide see For Russian treasury bonds see (Reporting by Alexander Marrow; Editing by Bradley Perrett, Mark Potter and Jan Harvey)

Reuters

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UPDATE 2-Russian rouble jumps to 1-week high vs dollar after Fed shifts outlook

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