TOKYO—Natural rubber futures remained stable with slight pricing changes across major markets in China and Japan during the trading week ended May 3.
Markets generally displayed a "mixed performance" amid quiet trading, due in part to long holidays in Japan and China, Japan Exchange Group (JPX) reported May 6.
In Osaka, Japan, OSE rubber futures dropped 0.9 percent in light trading volume, primarily driven by "some position squaring," JPX said.
Meanwhile, on China's SHFE and INE exchanges rubber futures rose by 0.5 percent and 1.7 percent, respectively, albeit with low trading volumes.
In Singapore, SICOM rubber futures gained 0.9 percent in "very quiet trading," with some fresh buying observed.
According to JPX, during the last trading week, rubber futures prices "reached levels prompting arbitrage buying and renewed consumer demand."
In related news, JPX noted a decline in crude oil prices on weaker demand, closing at $77.99/barrel, with OPEC+ anticipated to maintain production at its current level of 2.2 million barrels per day.
