Thai rubber futures ended mixed on Friday in thin trade as most investors were on the sidelines waiting for a clearer market direction, brokers said.
Overall volume dropped to 23 RSS3 contracts from 41 contracts traded on Thursday, brokers said.
The December, March and April contracts ended flat and the November contract rose 0.20 baht to 51.20 baht per kg, brokers said.
"Trade was sluggish. Some speculators sold contracts to take profits," said one broker. "Players are struggling for the market direction."
Brokers said prices could rise in the next week, in line with the physical market, with the next technical resistance at 51.50 baht and support at 50.80 baht.
The Thai price of physical unsmoked sheet number 3 (USS3), the raw material for export-grade rubber sheet, has been rising this week amid tight supply due to unusual rain.
USS was 46.85 baht per kg ($1.13 per kg) on Friday, up from last week's 46.20-46.50 and 45 baht the previous week.
On Singapore's SICOM, the RSS3 December contract was at $1.26 per kg.
Thailand, the world's biggest rubber producer and exporter, launched its first commodity futures exchange in May, allowing brokers to trade in ribbed smoked sheet number 3 (RSS3).
November, December, January, February, March and April contracts were offered. Each contract is for five tonnes.
Trading hours are now 10:30 am to 12.00 noon (0330-0500 GMT) and are to be extended to between 13:30 pm and 15:00 pm (0630 and 0800 GMT) on November 8.
The Agricultural Futures Exchange of Thailand and Central Japan Commodity Exchange WEre due to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in Bangkok on Monday, the Thai exchange said in a statement.
"The purpose of the MOU is to strengthen co-operation and mutual benefit between the two exchanges," it said.
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