Interest rates seen ending 2023 at 15
Rouble seen at 103 vs dollar in 12 months
Economic growth seen at 2.5 in 2023, 1.5 in 2024
Inflation expected to end the year at 7.1

Nov 3 Reuters The rouble39;s strengthening has largely peaked and the Russian currency is set for a steady slide back past 100 to the dollar in 2024, contributing to keeping doubledigit interest rates higher for longer, a Reuters poll showed on Friday.

The rouble has strengthened sharply since a President Vladimir Putin decree on the mandatory sale of foreign currency for certain exporters was announced last month. The central bank39;s sharperthanexpected rate hike to 15 in late October also helped the rouble hit a threemonth high of 91.6225 this week.

Ahead of a March 2024 presidential election at which Putin is widely expected to extend his rule, authorities may seek to project economic stability and resilience, but economists now anticipate that interest rates and inflation will be higher, and the rouble weaker, than in the previous monthly poll.

The average forecast of 12 analysts and economists polled in early November envisages the rouble trading at 103 to the dollar a year from now, up from 95 in the previous poll and around 93 on Friday.

Interest rates are seen ending this year at the current 15 level, dropping only to 12 next year, up from 10 forecast in the previous poll, while inflation is seen at 5.2 next year, only returning to the 4 target in 2025.

None of the analysts polled now…