Benchmark Tokyo rubber futures inched up to close at a near seven-week high on Tuesday, but gains were limited as the market came under pressure from a stronger yen. The benchmark rubber contract on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange (TOCOM) for December delivery rose 0.1 yen to settle at 256.3 yen ($2.58) per kg, the highest closing since June 5.
Industry data released on Friday showed a near five-month low in Japanese domestic rubber stocks. Against the yen, the dollar traded at 99.40, down from Monday's high of 101.05. The most-active rubber contract on the Shanghai futures exchange for January delivery fell 200 yuan to finish at 18,380 yuan ($3,000) per tonne. The front-month rubber contract on Singapore's SICOM exchange for August delivery last traded at 227.50 US cents per kg, down 1.1 cent.