Singapore – Asian physical rubber prices lower in sluggish trade. “Buyers are making only limited purchases and looking for cheaper options from local warehouses, such as in China,” says exporter in Singapore. RSS3 grade rubber traded at $2,820/ton, $2,830/ton, FOB, for February/March shipment, says Singapore-based executive at rubber trading company; adds SIR20 traded at $2,820/ton, for February shipment.

Source: Moneycontrol.com

Shanghai – Natural rubber futures on SHFE settle lower in tandem with declines in Chinese equity markets, says Orient Securities Futures analyst Lin Hui; adds rubber contracts may look to copper in coming sessions, given absence of clear directional cues. Notes rubber may move in CNY22,000-CNY24,000/ton range on chart-based cues. Benchmark March contract settles down CNY125, or 0.5%, at CNY23,090/ton.

Source: Moneycontrol.com

[Dow Jones] Tocom RSS3 rubber futures higher after moving both ways in speculative trading. “Rubber is likely to be rangebound today due to a lack of fresh leads in the market,” says Tokyo-based trading executive; adds prices likely to mostly move in Y269-Y273 range for next few hours. Japanese yen, Nymex crude oil futures close to unchanged. Benchmark Tocom May contract trading Y1.0 higher at Y270.6/kg, off intraday low of Y268.6. (SAM)

Source: Dow Jones

Singapore – Tocom RSS3 rubber futures settle slightly higher in range bound trade. “Rubber prices are consolidating around current levels,” says Tokyo-based broker; adds absence of fresh leads from other commodities has prevented further gains. Most traders put immediate resistance at Y273/kg. Benchmark Tocom May contract settles Y0.6 higher at Y270.2/kg, off intraday low of Y268.6 .

Source: Moneycontrol.com

[Dow Jones] Physical prices of Thai USS3 rubber higher on strong demand, at THB85.54-THB85.84 vs THB84.85-THB85.54 yesterday as daily supplies rise above 100 tons for first time this week; strong Thai rubber futures also supportive. “There has been talk in the market that China has bought large volumes of Thai RSS3 and STR20 rubber in the last few days, and factories need to cover their raw material requirements,” says trader in Bangkok. Total availability in three central markets of Thailand 160.5 tons vs 95 tons yesterday: 27.5 tons in Hat Yai, 63 tons in Surat Thani, 70 tons in Chandee. (SAM)

Source: Dow Jones