April 26 (Reuters) - The Russian rouble firmed to a one-month high past 92 to the dollar on Friday after the central bank held interest rates at 16%, as expected, and slightly worsened Russia's inflation outlook.
All 26 analysts polled by Reuters this week expect the Bank of Russia to keep interest rates unchanged, with the gradual slowdown of inflation preventing the central bank from easing borrowing costs more quickly.
The bank said inflation would return to its 4% target more slowly than previously forecast.
The rouble had gained 0.2% to trade at 98.49 versus the euro and shed 0.2% against the yuan to 12.62 .
Brent crude oil, a global benchmark for Russia's main export, was up 0.6% at $89.53 a barrel.
Russian stock indexes were higher.
The dollar-denominated RTS index was up 0.2% to 1,180.8 points. The rouble-based MOEX Russian index was 0.1% higher at 3,443.5 points.
For Russian equities guide see
For Russian treasury bonds see (Reporting by Alexander Marrow; editing by Miral Fahmy and Alex Richardson)
