By Zufazlin Baharuddin
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- The Kuala Lumpur rubber market ended mixed today, tracking regional rubber futures amid lower benchmark crude oil prices.
A dealer said Japanese rubber futures edged higher on the back of firmer Thai prices and tight supply, while weak Chinese auto sales limited gains.
He told Bernama that weaker Chinese vehicle sales had dampened market sentiment alongside ongoing China-European Union (EU) tensions and geopolitical uncertainties in West Asia.
It was reported that China's vehicle sales fell 8.4 per cent year-on-year in September, reflecting continued weakness in domestic demand despite a monthly recovery.
Meanwhile, the EU is considering trade defence measures against China in December to curb its trade deficit and reduce reliance on Chinese supplies.
“Nevertheless, further losses were capped by inclement weather in major producing countries and supply concerns linked to the possibility of a stronger El Niño extending into early 2027, alongside declining Chinese rubber inventories,” he added.
At 3 pm, Standard Malaysian Rubber 20 (SMR 20) declined 11.5 sen to 1,063.5 sen per kilogramme (kg), while bulk latex increased by four sen to 781 sen per kg.
-- BERNAMA