MOSCOW: The rouble hit a new all-time low against the dollar on Monday, hurt by a stronger U.S. currency and weakening oil prices, but Russian shares opened mixed as signs of progress in a gas-pricing dispute between Russia and Ukraine offered some support.
At 0620 GMT, the rouble was 0.47 percent weaker against the dollar at 39.36 and lost 0.57 percent to trade at 49.90 versus the euro.
That left the currency 0.52 percent weaker at 44.10 against the dollar-euro basket the central bank uses to gauge the rouble's nominal exchange rate.
The basket also hit an all-time low in early trade. Once the basket reaches 44.40, the central bank carries out unlimited interventions to defend the currency.
Russia's rouble-based MICEX index traded 0.4 percent higher at 1,440 points, while the dollar-denominated RTS was 0.2 percent lower at 1,153 points.
On Friday, European Union and Russian officials suggested Ukraine and Russia were moving closer to a deal that would guarantee Kiev at least 5 billion cubic metres of gas for the next six months if Ukraine made pre-payments.
"The bulls are still under pressure due to the weak rouble and cheapening oil, but progress between Russia and Ukraine on the gas question and the potential removal of sanctions are capable of providing a short-term boost to the market," analysts at Energo Kapital investment firm said in a note.
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