Russian rouble stays on stronger side of 100 to the US dollar

MOSCOW, Jan 23 (Reuters) - The Russian rouble remained on the stronger side of 100 to the dollar on Thursday but stopped its three-day strengthening streak that followed the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump.

The rouble RUB= had weakened by 0.4% to trade at 99.65 to the dollar by 0820 GMT, over-the-counter market data showed. The rouble was 0.4% weaker against China's yuan at 13.59 in trading on the Moscow Stock Exchange (MOEX).

On Jan. 21, the rouble briefly hit its highest level against the dollar since Nov. 6, 2024.

The rouble, supported my market optimism about easing of Russia-U.S. tensions and by increased sales of forex by the state, has been strengthening despite the latest U.S. sanctions, that targeted Russia's energy sector.

"After a significant rollback of foreign currencies, the pace of the rouble's strengthening may slow down. The potential for the weakening of the dollar is already small," BCS brokerage analysts said.

One-day dollar/rouble futures, which trade on MOEX and are a guide for the over-the-counter exchange rate, were up 1.1% at 101.1, suggesting that the rouble could return to the weaker side of the 100 level to the dollar in the coming days.

The Russian central bank set the official exchange rate at 98.28.