The rubber market is expected to trend higher this week boosted by higher demand for the commodity amid supply disruption due to the West Asia crisis, an expert says.
The Bank of Japan said on Monday (April 6) some regional economies could worsen due to surging oil prices and supply disruption brought about by conflict in the Middle East.
Asean growth is expected to ease to 4.6% in 2026 due to US tariffs and weaker demand in some countries like Thailand and the Philippines, before rising to 4.8% in 2027, according to the Asean+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (Amro).
The sudden increase in US gasoline prices felt by American consumers is set to be on full display in key inflation data due out this coming week.
Opec+ warned that damage to Middle East energy assets will have a prolonged impact on oil supply even after the Iran war ends, as it approved a symbolic increase in output quotas for next month.
he Kuala Lumpur rubber market extended its upward momentum to close higher on Thursday, supported by rising regional rubber futures and higher crude oil prices.