Physical rubber prices were mixed on Tuesday. The undercurrent was firm in selected counters following a moderate recovery in domestic futures on the NMCE. But RSS 5 and INSR 20 ended on a negative note on buyer resistance in a lacklustre trading session.  

 In the global market, Tokyo rubber futures firmed up as a retreat in the yen and rebound in Japanese shares eased worries over the slowing Chinese demand and possible oversupplies in coming months.

 Sheet rubber increased to Rs 170.00 (Rs 169.00) a kg, according to traders. The grade finished flat at Rs 169.50, as reported by the Rubber Board.

The June contracts improved to Rs 167.95 (Rs 166.90), July to Rs 167.25 (Rs 165.71), August to Rs 165.79 (Rs 164.57) and September to Rs 162.99 (Rs 162.32) while the October futures weakened to Rs 163.00 (Rs 164.52) on the National Multi Commodity Exchange (NMCE).     

RSS 3 (spot) recovered to Rs 169.08 (Rs 168.48) at Bangkok. The June futures closed at ¥259.2 (Rs 142.23) on theTokyo Commodity Exchange (TOCOM).                           

Spot rubber rates Rs/kg were:   RSS-4: 170.00 (169.00); RSS-5: 165.00 (166.00); Ungraded: 158.00 (157.00); ISNR 20:  159.50 (160.00) and Latex 60%:  108.50 (108.50).