Kuala lumpur: The Malaysian rubber market is expected to remain range-bound next week as geopolitical uncertainty and renewed tariff discussions weigh on global buying interest.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association (MARGMA) noted that despite regional futures markets posting gains this week on positive economic indicators from the United States and China, ongoing tensions in West Asia will continue to dampen market sentiment.

Echoing MARGMA, a dealer indicated that market participants are also expected to closely monitor developments in the US-Iran conflict, which could continue to fuel volatility in commodity markets, as well as weather conditions in major producing countries. Additionally, attention will focus on US payroll data that is set to influence US monetary policy and global trade developments amid proposed US tariffs on major trading partners. Key economic indicators from major rubber consuming economies, particularly China and the United States, are expected to remain primary drivers of rubber market sentiment in the near term.

Meanwhile, industry expert Denis Low stated that the rubber market is expected to trade on a subdued trend next week, with the supply side coping better than demand, giving prices a neutral bias. He noted that while the commodity is holding well with supply and demand adequacy in equilibrium, sporadic thunderstorms and heavy rainfalls in some rubber producing regions during the inter-monsoon period are manageable. Buying is mainly on replenishment and not speculative, giving the market a steady pace.

On a Friday-to-Friday basis, the Malaysian Rubber Board's reference price for Standard Malaysian Rubber 20 (SMR 20) rose RM17 to RM909 per kilogramme, while latex in bulk fell four sen to 691.5 sen per kilogramme.