This content was produced in Russia where the law restricts coverage of Russian military operations in Ukraine

MOSCOW, Aug 19 Reuters The rouble firmed to a near fourweek high against the dollar in early trade on Friday, supported by monthend tax payments that boost demand for the Russian currency, while shares in fertiliser producer Phosagro surged after strong results.

At 0704 GMT, the rouble was 0.5 stronger against the dollar at 59.20 after briefly hitting 57.70, a level last seen on July 25.

Against the euro, the rouble gained 0.9 to 59.65 .

The rouble is set to see support from monthend taxes that usually prompt exportfocused companies to increase conversion of their foreign currency revenues to meet local duties.

Yeartodate, the rouble has become the world39;s bestperforming currency as a result of capital controls that Russia imposed after beginning what it calls a special military operation in Ukraine on Feb. 24.

Rouble volatility has subsided after wild swings that saw it hit a record low of 121.53 to the dollar on the Moscow Exchange in March and then rally to a sevenyear peak of 50.01 in June.

On the stock market, the dollardenominated RTS index slid 0.2 to 1,159.4 points. The roublebased MOEX Russian index was 0.4 lower at 2,186.7 points.

Shares in Phosagro outperformed the market and climbed 4.4 higher on the day after the company said late on Thursday that its net profit rose by 165 in the first half of 2022 and its board recommended to pay 780…