Kuala Lumpur:The rubber market in Kuala Lumpur closed on a higher note on Friday, buoyed by robust manufacturing activity in Europe and Asia.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, manufacturing activity in these regions expanded last month, bolstered by strong demand amid a global artificial intelligence spending boom. Despite elevated inflation, partly due to the energy price shock from the US-Iran conflict, demand remained resilient.

The market also benefited from supply disruptions caused by heavy rains in key rubber-producing countries and positive developments in China's electric vehicle exports. Notably, Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD saw its global sales increase by 17 percent in September, marking the fifth consecutive month of growth driven by strong exports.

However, further market gains were limited by lower crude oil prices, concerns about a potential military build-up in West Asia, and mixed signals from regional rubber futures markets.

By 3 pm, Standard Malaysian Rubber 20 (SMR 20) had risen six sen to reach 1,044.5 sen per kilogram, while bulk latex increased by 3.5 sen to 749.5 sen per kilogram.