TOKYO, Feb 13 (Reuters) – Tokyo rubber futures rose 2.1 percent on Friday, rebounding on the back of speculative buying and supported by rises in Shanghai rubber futures, traders said.
But trading volume remained thin as the market lacked clear direction and weak oil prices still weighed on sentiment, they said.
* The benchmark rubber contract on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange <0#JRU:> for July delivery rose 3 yen, or 2.1 percent, to end at 143.6 yen ($1.59) per kg, off a high of 145.5 yen but rebounding from a low of 139.5 yen.
* Traders said rubber prices were capped by thin demand and reluctance by players to buy aggressively, with sentiment weighed down by oil prices hovering below $35 a barrel.
* Tokyo rubber futures hit a a one-week low of 137.8 yen on Thursday.
* The benchmark Shanghai May rubber futures contract rose by its 5 percent daily limit to 14,030 yuan per tonne on Friday.
* Chinese buyers have been buying to replenish stocks, but they have turned their backs on Thai grades after tight supplies lifted prices, dealers have said.
* The wintering dry season also keeps supplies tight, making investors cautious about buying.
* Asian physical prices rose, supported by rising futures prices and demand from China, as well as limited supply due to the dry season in key producing countries. Traders said Chinese buyers continued to buy small lots of rubber.

PRICES OF ASIAN PHYSICAL RUBBER COMPARED WITH THURSDAY
Grade Price Change
Thai RSS3 (Mar) $1.52/kg +$0.02
Thai RSS3 (Apr) $1.52/kg +$0.02
Thai STR20 (Mar) $1.40/kg +$0.02
Thai STR20 (Apr) $1.40/kg +$0.02
Malaysia SMR20 (Mar) $1.40/kg +$0.02
Malaysia SMR20 (Apr) $1.40/kg +$0.02
Indonesia SIR20 (Mar) $0.60/lb +$0.01
Indonesia SIR20 (Apr) $0.60/lb +$0.01
Thai USS3 47 baht/kg +1 baht
Thai 60-percent latex (drums, Mar) $1,220/tonne +$20
Thai 60-percent latex (bulk, Mar) $1,100/tonne +$20

Source: Reuters

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