Benchmark Tokyo rubber futures fell for a second day on Friday ahead of the three-day weekend, as an improvement in Chinese manufacturing activity failed to provide support. The benchmark rubber contract on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange (TOCOM) for April delivery fell 1.8 yen to settle at 259.8 yen ($2.65) per kg, a one-week low. The contract fell 1.5 percent last month. TOCOM is closed on Monday for a national holiday.
The decline came despite data earlier in the day showing China's giant manufacturing sector strengthened further in October. The most-active rubber contract on the Shanghai futures exchange for May delivery rose 175 yuan to finish at 19,920 yuan ($3,300) per tonne. The front-month rubber contract on Singapore's SICOM exchange for December delivery last traded at 228.50 US cents per kg, up 0.5 cent.