Russian rouble little changed despite oil prices fall

MOSCOW, April 9 (Reuters) - The Russian rouble weakened slightly against the U.S. dollar on Wednesday but remained stable despite prices for oil, Russia's main export commodity, falling to a four-year low amid the intensifying trade war between the U.S. and China.

By 0910 GMT, the rouble RUB= was down 0.4% at 86.15 against the dollar in the over-the-counter market. The Russian currency is up about 24% against the dollar this year, mostly on expectations of easing geopolitical tensions.

The central bank said on April 8 that low demand for imports and increased demand for rouble-denominated assets in March supported the Russian currency even though net forex sales by exporting companies fell by 18% due to lower oil prices.

"The rouble continues to show enviable resilience, ignoring the collapse in oil prices," Cifra brokerage analysts said, predicting a gradual weakening of the rouble towards 90 roubles for one U.S. dollar.

Against the Chinese yuan, the most traded foreign currency in Russia, the rouble was flat at 11.64 on the Moscow Stock Exchange.