Asian Rubber Futures End Mixed

Rubber prices were mixed Tuesday as volumes remain light and broader issues and falls in commodity prices drive the market.

Tokyo rubber futures ended lower amid a lack of buying interest due to a fall in crude-oil prices and Japanese equities, while the Shanghai rubber contract managed to pare early lows to finish the session slightly higher.

Investors are “taking a cautious approach” ahead of an anticipated U.S. interest rate increase by the Federal Reserve this week, says a Tokyo-based trader.

Rubber prices will continue to remain under pressure on persistent worries over slowing demand from the commodity’s biggest consumers, China and India.

Australian Shares Muted As Commodity Stock Losses Offset Gains In Financials

Asian Rubber Futures
                        Dec 15               Change from previous close

Tocom    Mon RSS3       Y162.1/kg            Down Y4.1
Shanghai May SCR5       CNY10,250/ton        Up CNY70
Thai     Jul RSS3       THB47.30/kg          Down THB1.50
Sicom    May RSS3       US 133.5 cents/kg    Down US2.5 cents/kg
Sicom    May TSR20      US 114.4 cents/kg    Down US1.4 cents/kg

Asian Physical Rubber

Grade Shipment   Dec. 15  Dec. 14

RSS3  Jan/Feb    123-124  126-127
STR20 Jan/Feb    118-119  120-121
SIR20 Jan/Feb    115-116  117-118
SMR20 Jan/Feb    116-117  118-119
SVR3L Jan/Feb    118-119  120-121

USS      Jan      THB38.49-THB38.84/Kg       THB38.59-THB38.83/Kg