KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur rubber market ended the trading day with mixed outcomes, influenced by the fluctuating performance of regional rubber futures markets and oil prices, as well as the latest statistics from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the market’s downward trend was mitigated by ongoing concerns over potential disruptions in the supply of natural rubber due to adverse weather conditions in major producing regions. Market sentiment also benefited from the latest US consumer inflation figures, which reinforced expectations for a Federal Reserve interest-rate cut in December, and from positive developments in the Chinese automobile sector. The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers reported a notable increase in auto production and sales, with November 2024 figures showing a year-on-year rise of 11.1 percent in production to 3.44 million units and an 11.7 percent increase in sales to 3.32 million units.

Additionally, DOSM announced a signif
icant rise in natural rubber production in Malaysia, with output reaching 38,400 tonnes in October 2024, marking a 20.6 percent increase from September 2024. Comparatively, October 2023 production was 32,944 tonnes, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 16.6 percent.

The Malaysian Rubber Board reported fluctuations in rubber prices, with Standard Malaysian Rubber 20 (SMR 20) seeing a decrease of 11.5 sen to 904 sen per kilogram, while bulk latex prices increased by three sen to 701 sen per kilogram. As of 5 pm, SMR 20 was priced at 903.5 sen per kilogram, and bulk latex stood at 703.5 sen per kilogram.