MOSCOW: The Russian rouble eased in light trade on Friday, moving in line with its emerging market peers, ahead of an expected appointment of a new government in Russia.
The market awaits Vladimir Putin's inauguration for a six-year presidential term on Monday, May 7. This should be followed by the appointment of a new government, one of the key uncertainties that still hang over the market.
Interfax news agency, citing a source in Russia's lower house of parliament, said on Friday the parliament expects to support Putin's protege for the prime minister seat next week.
The rouble traded 0.3 percent weaker at 63.20 versus the dollar as of 0731 GMT, heading towards its weakest level since 2016 of 65.06, which it hit after the United States imposed sanctions on a number of Russian individuals and companies in early April.
Before the sanctions, the rouble traded at around 57.5 against the dollar.
The latest moves in the rouble came in line with the Turkish lira, which hit a record low, and South African rand that weakened as the US dollar continued to put pressure on emerging currencies globally.
Against the euro, the rouble was 0.2 percent weaker at 75.72 versus levels of around 71 seen before the last round of US sanctions.
Russian stock indexes inched higher, supported by oil prices. Brent crude futures traded at $73.4 per barrel, close to the highest levels since 2014 of $75.47 hit last week.
The dollar-denominated RTS index was up 0.9 percent to 1,138.7 points, while the rouble-based MOEX Russian index was 0.6 percent higher at 2,288.4 points.
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