MOSCOW: The Russian stock market fell and the rouble weakened in thin trade on Friday after US monthly payrolls data came below forecasts, generating another wave of risk aversion.
In low-volume trade, the dollar-based RTS index was down 1.8 percent at 1,613.8 points by 1430 GMT and the rouble-traded MICEX also gave up 1.8 percent to 1,497.2 points.
Shares had been modestly lower ahead of the 1230 GMT data, which showed the US economy added 120,000 jobs in March compared to expectations of 203,000, prompting a steeper sell-off.
"The market has now lost some nine percent compared to this year's peaks. But ...we don't see reasons for the market's further slide," said Rustam Nazimanov at Alfa Capital.
In the event of further declines, the MICEX would see support at around 1,440-1,450 points, said Mikhail Kazakov at Grandis Capital.
Volumes were low as most other European markets were closed for Easter, fuelling volatility.
The rouble weakened 0.3 percent to 29.56 against the dollar and eased 0.4 percent to 38.68 versus the euro.
Against its euro-dollar basket, used by the central bank to track the currency market, the rouble gave up 0.4 percent to 33.67.
Turnover in the dollar/rouble section with settlements for tomorrow totalLed $2.5 billion compared to a usual volume of $6-8 billion.
The next event in the market's sights is Monday's central bank meeting, at which all key interest rates are expected to be left unchanged.
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