Kuala lumpur: The rubber market ended slightly higher today, supported by steady crude oil prices and a weaker ringgit against the US dollar, a dealer said. He noted that sentiment was also bolstered by lower global natural rubber production in July, stronger factory activity across Asia, and concerns over potential El Ni±o-related supply disruptions.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, further gains were limited by weaker Chinese economic data, cautious sentiment over the Federal Reserve's interest rate outlook, and renewed tensions in West Asia. The dealer highlighted that oil prices rose on Tuesday as renewed hostilities between the United States and Iran raised concerns over supply disruptions in West Asia.

At the time of writing, Brent crude was up 1.96 percent at US$92.26 a barrel. Meanwhile, the dealer pointed out that the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) reported global natural rubber production fell 5.15 percent year-on-year to 1.321 million tonnes in July 2026.

At 3 pm, the price of Standard Malaysian Rubber 20 (SMR 20) and bulk latex gained 0.50 sen each to 964 sen per kilogramme (kg) and 688.5 sen per kg, respectively. The rubber market was closed on Monday (Aug 31) in conjunction with National Day.