Benchmark Tokyo rubber futures settled up 0.5 percent on Thursday, helped by a weaker yen and gains in Shanghai futures, dealers said. The benchmark rubber contract on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange (TOCOM) for April delivery rose 1.3 yen to settle at 259.1 yen ($2.61) per kg. The market stood about 2 percent above a three-month low of 253.5 yen hit on November 5.
The most-active rubber contract on the Shanghai futures exchange for May delivery rose 90 yuan to finish at 19,320 yuan ($3,200) per tonne. The front-month rubber contract on Singapore's SICOM exchange for December delivery last traded at 230.00 US cents per kg, up 0.5 cent.