MOSCOW:  The Russian rouble traded near a one-year high against the euro on Tuesday and the benchmark MOEX stock index reached a record high.

At 0732 GMT, the rouble was up 0.1 percent 71.75 versus the euro after touching 71.65 on Monday, its strongest since April 2018.

Versus the dollar, the rouble was also 0.1 percent stronger at 63.79, near a month-high of 63.74 seen the day before.

"Most factors are in the rouble's favour on a week horizon. They are primarily weekly OFZ bonds auctions and the tax payment peak due on April 25," analysts at Nordea bank said in a note.

OFZ government bonds auctioned by the finance ministry have enjoyed strong demand recently, with foreign investors buying roubles to purchase Russian state debt. The central bank is set to disclose non-residents' share of OFZ bonds as of April 1 on Wednesday.

Month-end taxes also usually prompt export-focused companies to convert their foreign currency to meet local duties.

Oil prices supported Russian assets. Brent crude oil , a global benchmark for Russia's main export, was up 0.4 percent at $74.34 a barrel after rising to its highest since November of $74.69.

The dollar-denominated RTS index was up 0.3 percent to 1,279.9 points. The rouble-based MOEX Russian index was also 0.3 percent higher, at 2,592.0 points, having touched yet another record high of 2,593.97.

Copyright Reuters, 2019

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