Rouble hits weakest since mid-August 2009

MOSCOW: The rouble extended losses at Friday's opening along with the Russian stock markets, pressured by ongoing capital flight from riskier assets on the back of lingering concerns about euro zone and US financial health.

By 0605 GMT, the rouble eased 0.3 percent to 32.15 after briefly hitting 32.25, its weakest level since August 17, 2009.

Versus the euro, the rouble weakened 0.55 percent to 43.39, a level last seen in late 2009.

Against the euro-dollar basket, the central bank's main gauge of the currency market, the rouble lost 0.4 percent, sliding to 37.21.

Copyright Reuters, 2011