MOSCOW: The Russian rouble opened weaker on Monday, dragged down by the oil price which has retreated further on abating supply disruptions and a stronger dollar, as markets await data this week to gauge the likelihood of higher US interest rates.
At 0755 GMT, the rouble was 0.5 percent weaker against the dollar at 67.13 and had lost 0.6 percent to 75.35 versus the euro.
Brent crude oil, a global benchmark for Russia's main export, was down 0.9 percent at $48.25 a barrel.
"Oil remains the main driver of the rouble this week and its dynamics may be influenced by statistics from across the ocean," ING economist Dmitry Polevoy said in a note, referring to US statistics on manufacturing, durable goods, consumer sentiment and revised gross domestic product for the first quarter.
"In the last several days markets have increased the chances for an increase in Federal Reserve interest rates in June and optimistic statistics may only increase these expectations."
Analysts said that monthly tax payments requiring conversion of export earnings into roubles may support the rouble towards the end of the week.
Russian share indexes also lost ground on Monday.
The dollar-denominated RTS index was down 1.4 percent to 881 points, while the rouble-based MICEX was 0.8 percent lower at 1,877 points.
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