Natural rubber futures prices edge upwards

Tokyo - World rubber futures pricing “inched up” on all major rubber exchanges during the trading week ended 24 Feb, Japan’s JPX has reported. 

The trend, it said, reflected optimism about a potential rebound in vehicle sales in China over the coming months, which could signal recovery in the powerhouse economy. 

In Japan, rubber futures increased by 0.3% with quiet transactions on the Osaka exchange, according to the latest JPX report. 

Gains were more marked in China, where SHFE futures “added 0.5% due to mostly short-covering trading, while INE futures closed 2.2% higher under speculative buying.” 

In Singapore, meanwhile, SICOM futures increased 2% in generally quiet trading, continued the trading review, issued 27 Feb. 

In summary, JPX commented that “market sentiment [had] slightly improved, but prices moved within a tight range without showing clear direction.”