TOKYO—Natural rubber markets depicted a mixed picture in the trading week ended Jan. 10, with RSS3 rubber posting week-on-week declines and TSR20 making gains.
In Osaka, Japan, OSE's June 2025 rubber contract closed 1.6-percent lower week-on-week amid moderate trading.
In Shanghai, SHFE rubber declined 0.5 percent compared to the week before amid significant long liquidation, the Japan Exchange Group reported in its weekly Jan. 13 filing.
Meanwhile, the Shanghai INE rubber contract for March delivery rose 2.3 percent on the prior week, driven by "fresh speculative and fund buying."
In Singapore, SICOM rubber contract for April delivery advanced 0.6 percent week-on-week on "active short covering."
According to JPX, the price gap between RSS3 and TSR20 narrowed during the week and official warehouse stocks of TSR20 dropped "sharply."
"Market sentiment remains steady, bolstered by optimism over potential Chinese government stimulus and reports of heavy rain in key producing countries," JPX added.
Furthermore, OSE disclosed on Jan. 10 that it will launch a new Shanghai Natural Rubber Futures, underlying SHFE Natural Rubber Futures (RU), in the second half of 2025.
The Japanese market reported that it is currently seeking public comments.