Russian rouble seeks new equilibrium after period of volatility

MOSCOW, Dec 11 (Reuters) - The rouble traded above the 100 mark against the U.S. dollar on Wednesday as the currency sought a new equilibrium following a sharp fall at the end of November and subsequent strengthening in recent days.

By 0930 GMT, the rouble was flat at 102.8 against the dollar, according to over-the-counter market data from banks. The rouble strengthened by 1% to 13.84 against the yuan in trading on the Moscow Stock Exchange.

"Overall, the market is trying to find equilibrium at current levels," said Yevgeny Loktyukhov from Promsvyazbank, noting the ongoing difficulties due to the adaptation of importers and exporters to the latest U.S. sanctions.

The U.S. sanctions, imposed on Nov. 22, hit Gazprombank, Russia's third largest lender, which handles payments for energy trade with Europe, disrupting foreign trade transactions and the supply of foreign currency to the Russian market.

The rouble weakened sharply against all major currencies, including China's yuan, in the aftermath of the sanctions, but has since regained much of that ground.

One-day rouble/dollar futures, which trade on the Moscow Stock Exchange and are a guide for the over-the-counter exchange rate, were up 1.5% at 103.00. The Russian central bank set an official exchange rate at 100.00 to the dollar.

(Reporting by Gleb Bryanski
Editing by Bernadette Baum)

((gleb.bryanski@thomsonreuters.com;))