Tokyo rubber prices inched up on Monday, extending the rally from Wednesday before the market closed for the long Golden Week holiday weekend, drawing strength from firm precious metals prices. The most active contract on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange for October delivery rose to 285.9 yen per kg on Monday, up 3.1 yen from Wednesday.
TOCOM was closed on Thursday and Friday for the Golden Week holiday. Gold rose by 60 yen per gram, and platinum by 100 yen, both up by their daily limit on TOCOM. US crude oil for June delivery was trading at $61.79 per barrel in Globes electronic trading, down 14 cents as rising US crude inventories eased concerns of a shortfall in the world's top energy consumer ahead of the peak-driving season.
The dollar slipped to 120.05 yen compared with 120.20 yen in late US trading on Friday and off a two-month high near 120.50 yen reached last week. Thailand, the top rubber producer and a key physical-trading centre, will be on holiday on Monday.