The rouble dipped on Friday but held close to 30-month highs recorded in the previous session, showing little reaction after Prime Minister Vladimir Putin supported calls from exporters to keep the soaring currency in check. The rouble slid seven kopecks to 28.02 against the dollar, with some investors cashing in the week's gains late in the session in trade thinned by the Easter closure of many international markets.
The rouble slipped four kopecks to the euro and six kopecks to the euro-dollar basket, closing at 40.79 and 33.76, respectively. On Thursday, the rouble had one of its best days this year, firming versus the dollar to levels not seen since October 2008 and reflecting the greenback's index hitting a three-year low on global markets.
The rouble has gained almost 10 percent against the dollar since the start of the year, boosted by higher interest rates and oil prices remaining nearly 50 percent above the average pencilled into the 2011 budget.
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