Tyre makers’ buys boost rubber

Spot rubber prices strengthened further on Monday due to increased demand from tyre makers, the largest consumers of the commodity. The daily reference price for RSS 4 was quoted higher at ₹134.60 (132.45) a kg by the Rubber Board. February futures weakened to ₹124.81 (125.25), March to ₹126.15 (126.91) on the NMCE. RSS 3 (spot) firmed up to ₹112.15 (110.36) a kg at Bangkok. February futures slid to ¥ 212.8 (₹111.56) on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange. Spot rubber rates (₹/kg): RSS-4: 133.50 (131); RSS-5: 113 (107); Ungraded: 106 (103); ISNR 20: 107 (105) and Latex 60%: 81 (81).