TOKYO, April 25 (Reuters) – Key TOCOM rubber futures roseabout 1 percent on Friday, taking their cue from firmer equitiesin Tokyo and higher oil prices on the back of rising tensions inUkraine.
FUNDAMENTALS
* The key Tokyo Commodity Exchange rubber contract forOctober delivery was changing hands 2.2 yenhigher at 205.8 yen as of 0120 GMT.
* Ukrainian forces killed up to five pro-Moscow rebels onThursday as they closed in on the separatists’ militarystronghold in the east, and Russia launched army drills near theborder in response, raising fears its troops would invade.
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MARKET NEWS
* The Nasdaq rose modestly in a choppy session on Thursday,lifted by a rally in Apple shares a day after the iPad maker’sstrong results, though tensions in Ukraine held the broadermarket in check.
* The dollar came under pressure against the yen on Fridayas rising tensions in Ukraine undermined optimism about U.S.economic growth following strong U.S. durable goods data.
* Brent crude futures rose by more than a dollar a barrel onThursday as mutual accusations of aggression by Ukraine andRussia raised concerns over future oil supplies, while strongU.S. economic data suggested higher demand.
* Japan’s Nikkei average was up 0.85 percent.
* Asian stocks struggled to rise on Friday, as the impact ofupbeat U.S. economic data and robust U.S. tech shares faced offagainst fears of an escalating Ukraine crisis that bolstered thesafe-haven yen.
DATA EVENTS
* The following data is expected on Friday: (Time in GMT)
– 1345 U.S. Markit Services PMI Final April
– 1355 U.S. Univ of Michigan sentiment index Final April (Reporting by Osamu Tsukimori; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)
– Reuters
