TOKYO, March 19 (Reuters) – Key Tokyo rubber futures rose on Friday, supported by firmness in the physical rubber market as major producing countries, including Thailand and Malaysia, are in the dry season when rubber trees produce less latex.
* But gains were limited by a fall in oil and other commodities prices.
* The key Tokyo Commodity Exchange rubber contract for August delivery <0#JRU:> settled up 3.5 yen, or 1.2 percent, at 289.1 yen. It earlier rose as high as 289.8 yen, its highest since Monday.
* The TOCOM market will be closed on Monday for a national holiday.
* Oil fell below $82 a barrel on Friday, extending the previous day’s losses, as the U.S. dollar held onto gains against the euro amid worries over Greece’s debt woes, and a rise in OPEC exports loomed. [O/R]
* Gold edged down as early bargain hunting subsided and investors turned to currencies for direction, but concerns about Greece’s debt problems could still spur safe-haven buying. [GOL/]
* The euro was steady around $1.3620 after falling as much as 1 percent to $1.3586 on Thursday. Against the yen, the dollar rose 0.1 percent to 90.45 yen . [USD/]
* Japan’s Nikkei stock average <.N225> rose 0.8 percent. [.T]
* In the physical market, benchmark Thai RSS3 stayed near a 58-year high level as supplies have fallen sharply due to seasonal dry weather that has cut latex output. However, there were no trades at that level, traders said. [RUB/AS]

Source: Reuters

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