The benchmark rubber contract on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange for June delivery fell 4.9 yen to settle at 271.5 yen ($3.48) per kg. "Players adjusted their positions so it was a combination of profit-taking and stop-loss selling ahead of the year-end holidays by small investors that dragged prices down," one dealer said. The Nikkei average fell 0.5 percent to 8,440.56, below its 25-day moving average around 8,461. The broader Topix index eased 0.3 percent to 724.25 due mostly to a flat performance in December. Dealers said TOCOM prices were expected to rebound later next week and prices would rise above a key support level of 270 yen per kg. Limited supply in major producing countries should lend support, they said.