Benchmark Tokyo rubber futures ended down 0.5 percent on Friday due to profit-taking after strong gains in the last three sessions, but ended the week with a 1.8 percent gain. Tokyo Commodity Exchange (TOCOM) futures, which set the tone for tyre rubber prices in Southeast Asia, had risen 4.9 percent in the last three sessions, mainly due to a weaker yen. They rose to as high as 217.3 yen on Friday but erased earlier gains later amid concerns about Chinese economic growth, industry sources said.
"After some period of buying of TOCOM rubber, selling followed, as investors changed their positions frequently for arbitrage purposes," said a Tokyo-based dealer. The Tokyo Commodity Exchange rubber contract for December delivery finished 1.1 yen lower at 214.8 yen per kg. Japanese markets will be closed on Monday for a national holiday. The most-active rubber contract on the Shanghai futures exchange for January delivery rose 95 yuan to finish at 13,220 yuan per tonne. Singapore's SICOM exchange was closed on Friday for a national holiday.