Rubber futures rise on new speculative buying

Tokyo – Natural rubber futures rose across all major exchanges during the week ended 23 Jan, supported by new speculative buying, including participation from Chinese commodity funds.

Open interest increased across all exchanges, indicating the establishment of new long positions, while trading volumes declined on most markets, reported Japan Exchange Group (JPX) 26 Jan.

In Japan, on the Osaka Exchange (OSE), rubber contracts for June delivery ended the week up 1.5%, supported by “firm overseas rubber futures sentiment, including continued buying by Chinese funds.”

In Shanghai, China, SHFE rubber gained 1.5% week-on-week, while INE rubber closed 1.3% higher compared to the week before.

In Singapore, SICOM’s active April-2026 contract closed 2.75% higher week-on-week, marking a nine-month high amid strong physical demand and speculative buying interest.

The rubber futures forward curve, which according to JPX had remained “largely flattened” over the past few months, turned slightly contango, with higher premiums emerging in longer-dated contracts.

The shift suggests a return toward “a more normal carrying-charge market condition,” according JPX.

Separately, SGX SICOM said it will introduce “T+1 trading” starting 26 Jan, extending regular trading hours into the night session.

Under the new schedule, TSR20 futures and options contracts will trade from 6:15 pm to 11:00 pm Singapore time, said JPX.