Asian physical rubber prices were quoted mostly unchanged on Friday as thin trade offset small rises of futures contract prices on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange. Physical prices were expected to remain supported by low seasonal supplies, traders said.
"It's Friday. Only key tyremakers are buying small lots of rubber, but China and small users are still on the sidelines, waiting for cheaper prices," a Malaysian trader said. Major tyremakers bought Malaysian SMR20 at $2.68 per kg and Indonesian SIR20 at $1.20 per lb for April shipment, traders said. Chinese buyers, the biggest, bid for SMR20 at $2.66 per kg, but no deal had been done, they said.