Kuala lumpur: The rubber market closed mixed on Thursday, with regional rubber futures showing gains but constrained by weaker oil prices and a stronger ringgit, a dealer reported.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Japanese rubber futures saw an uptick, driven by expectations of supply shortages due to weather-related disruptions. Thailand's meteorological agency issued warnings of potential storms from May 7-12, 2026, advising farmers about possible crop damage and flash floods.

The dealer noted that sentiment was bolstered by positive developments in the natural rubber industry and advancements in the new energy vehicle sector, coupled with hopes for renewed peace talks in West Asia. However, these positive trends were tempered by the impact of weaker crude oil prices and a stronger ringgit against the US dollar. The ongoing supply chain and economic pressures from the West Asia crisis added to the market's challenges.

Additionally, traders are keeping a close watch on El Nino forecasts, which are anticipated to be the most intense in a decade. At 3 pm, the Standard Malaysian Rubber (SMR) 20 price increased by 9.5 sen to 880 sen per kilogram, while latex-in-bulk decreased by four sen to 750 sen per kilogram.