NR futures gain on strong speculative buying

Tokyo – Natural rubber (NR) futures ended the first trading week of September on a firm note across all major exchanges, lifted by renewed speculative and hedge fund buying, according to Japan Exchange Group (JPX).

In an 8 Sept report, JPX noted that “bullish momentum returned to the market” after weeks of consolidation, with buying activity in the SHFE and INE spilling over to the OSE and SICOM markets.

Funds were estimated to have accumulated between 450,000 and 500,000 tonnes of rubber futures, breaking a key resistance level, said JPX.

Sentiment was further supported by the SCO summit in Tianjin, where China gained political backing from over 20 world leaders.

Expectations that the US Federal Reserve may begin cutting interest rates added to the positive tone.

In Osaka, Japan, the benchmark OSE February 2026 contract settled 2.9% higher week-on-week, in what JPX described as “moderate trading.”

In Shanghai, China, SHFE rubber rose 1.8% while INE gained 2.0%, both on the back of strong fresh buying.

In Singapore, SICOM’s active December 2025 contract closed 3.0% higher compared to the week before, driven by overseas flows and arbitrage activity.