FX.co ★ Rubber Futures Edge Higher

Rubber futures climbed to nearly 196 US cents per kilogram, supported in part by rising oil prices driven by escalating tensions in the Middle East, which have made synthetic alternatives less attractive. Supply concerns also added upward pressure, as Southeast Asia remains in its low-output “wintering” season, while excessive rainfall in Thailand and Indonesia has further restricted the availability of raw materials. At the same time, stronger-than-expected inflation data from top consumer China bolstered demand prospects. However, worries about a slowing global economy amid the prolonged conflict involving Iran have tempered the overall outlook.