By Engku Shariful Azni Engku Ab Latif
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 14 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian rubber market closed lower today due to mixed signals from regional rubber futures markets, said a dealer.
He said market sentiment was dampened by a slew of weaker Chinese economic data and by easing expectations for a United States interest rate cut in December amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe.
"Nevertheless, further losses were capped by steady benchmark crude oil prices amid concerns for raw material shortage due to rainy weather in major rubber-producing countries," the dealer told Bernama.
He also said that Japanese rubber futures were steady on Friday, set for weekly gains, supported by a weak yen.
The dealer highlighted that the Thai meteorological agency warned of heavy rains and accumulations that may cause flash floods and overflows in the south from Nov 17-19, 2025.
At 3 pm, the Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB) reported that the price of Standard Malaysian Rubber 20 (SMR 20) was down by 6.0 sen to 724.5 sen per kilogramme (kg), while latex-in-bulk inched down by half a sen to 568 sen per kg.
-- BERNAMA