Benchmark Tokyo rubber futures dropped from a one-month high to end steady on Friday, as investors took profits after Shanghai futures, which rose earlier in the day, pared gains. "The market came off in the afternoon as investors booked profits ahead of the weekend and after oil and some metals lost ground," said Toshitaka Tazawa, an analyst at commodities broker Fujitomi Co.
The Tokyo Commodity Exchange (TOCOM) rubber contract for September delivery finished unchanged at 187.1 yen ($1.74) per kg, after touching the highest since March 20 of 190.4 yen earlier in the session. For the week, it booked a 1.3 percent increase. The most-active rubber contract on the Shanghai futures exchange for September delivery rose 35 yuan to finish at 11,555 yuan ($1,837) per tonne, sliding from an earlier high of 11,810 yuan.
The front-month rubber contract on Singapore's SICOM exchange for May delivery last traded at 139.3 US cents per kg, down 3.2 cent.
Oil prices dipped on Friday but stayed near three-year highs reached earlier this week, with ongoing Opec-led supply cuts and strong demand gradually drawing down excess supplies.