The Russian rouble opened slightly stronger against the dollar on Friday after a recovery in oil prices, which had fallen to their lowest in more than a year earlier this week. After posting a small gain, the rouble stabilised at 69.58 against the dollar as of 0730 GMT. It had touched 69.76 on Thursday, its weakest since mid-September.

Versus the euro, the rouble was 0.3 percent weaker at 79.76. Despite higher oil prices and month-end taxes this week, the rouble remains under pressure because market players are willing to reduce their exposure to risky assets, Alor Brokerage said in a note.

Copyright Reuters, 2018