June 9 Reuters The Russian rouble firmed in early trade on Thursday, heading towards 62 against the euro on the Moscow Exchange, while stock indexes inched lower, lacking new momentum and trading ideas.

At 0735 GMT, the rouble was 0.2 stronger against the dollar at 59.30 and had gained 0.9 to trade at 62.96 versus the euro after hitting the 62.11 mark for the first time since late May.

The rouble has become the world39;s bestperforming currency this year as it has been steered by capital controls since for more than three months since Moscow sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24.

The rouble showed little reaction to Russia39;s decision to relax some capital controls this week, including an increased ceiling for crossborder transactions for individuals and the move to allow exportfocused companies to transfer forex to their overseas accounts under certain conditions.

The central bank is now in focus as it will hold a ratesetting meeting on Friday. A rate cut could put some downside pressure on the rouble and support prices of OFZ treasury bonds.

A majority of analysts polled by Reuters expect a 100basispoint rate cut to 10 as the bank tries to make lending more affordable amid sluggish consumer demand and a pause in inflation. 

But a sharper cut to 9 was also possible as economic prospects and inflation easing give the central bank more room to manoeuvre, BCS Global Markets said.

Consumer inflation in Russia slowed to 17.10 in yearonyear terms in…