Japan futures hit one-week low on profit-taking, soft China data

SINGAPORE, Sept 3 (Reuters) –

Japanese rubber futures declined to their lowest in a week onTuesday as traders booked profits from recent gains caused by supply disruptions, while weak economic data from top consumer China also weighed on prices.
The Osaka Exchange (OSE) rubber contract for February delivery JRUc6, 0#2JRU: closed down 6.6 yen, or 1.81%, at 359 yen ($2.45) per kg.
The contract hit an intraday low of 358 yen, its weakest level since Aug. 27.
The January rubber contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) SNRv1 fell 190 yuan, or 1.15%, to finish at 16,285 yuan ($2,287.70)per metric ton.
The price of Thailand’s benchmark export-grade smoked rubber sheet (RSS3) RUB-RSS3C-BKK was down 1.68% at 91.46 baht ($2.67).
Given recent gains in rubber prices, some profit-taking has occurred, said a Singapore-based trader.
The OSE contract on Friday hit an intraday high of 380.3 yen, its highest since Aug. 8, 2011.
China’s purchasing managers’ index (PMI) reading has dimmed prospects of a rebound in Chinese demand, keeping prices under pressure, however, persistent supply concerns can lend support to prices, said Jom Jacob, chief analyst at Indian analysis firm What Next Rubber.
China’s manufacturing activity sank to a six-month low in August as factory gate prices tumbled and owners struggled for orders, the National Bureau of Statistics PMI data showed.
Top producer Thailand’s meteorological agency warned of heavy rains that could cause flash floods from Sept. 3-9.
Brent oil prices fell as increasing demand concerns from top importer China overshadowed the impact of a Libyan export halt. O/R
Natural rubber often takes direction from oil prices as it competes for market share with synthetic rubber, which is made from crude oil.
The front-month October rubber contract on Singapore Exchange’s SICOM platform STFc1 last traded at 176.8 U.S. cents per kg, down 0.8%.

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