Russian rouble weakens slightly vs US dollar, flat against China's yuan

MOSCOW, July 16 (Reuters) - The Russian rouble weakened slightly against the U.S. dollar on Wednesday, tracking lower prices for oil, Russia's main export commodity, but was stable against China's yuan.

As of 1410 GMT, the rouble RUB= was 0.4% weaker at 78.35 per U.S. dollar, according to LSEG data based on over-the-counter quotes. The rouble is up about 45% against the dollar since the start of the year.

The Russian currency remained strong despite threats from U.S. President Donald Trump to hit buyers of Russian energy exports with sanctions and a widely held view that the currency is overvalued and needs to weaken.

Analysts said the U.S. president's threats were weaker than expected. The rouble strengthened slightly on July 15, following Trump's statement. The Kremlin said on Tuesday that it will need to analyse Trump's remarks.

"If there are any restrictions, they will be in 50 days and not at 500%, but at 100%. Markets overestimated the danger, and the risk premium in the rouble's exchange rate has decreased," BCS brokerage analysts said.

Against the Chinese yuan, the most traded foreign currency in Russia, the rouble was flat at 10.84.