Oil prices drifted lower on Thursday as weak demand concerns over a large build in the crude inventory in the United States plus a strong dollar overtook potential supply disruption as the centre of focus.

The U.S. dollar pushed higher in early European trade Thursday, with buyers returning ahead of next week’s Federal Reserve meeting, while the yen struggled to hold the previous session’s gains.

Natural rubber production increased by 21.2 per cent in July 2022 (38,006 tonnes) as compared to June 2022 (31,369 tonnes). Meanwhile, year-on-year comparison showed that the production of natural rubber decreased by 21.8 per cent (July 2021: 48,610 tonnes). Production of natural rubber in July 2022 for Malaysia was mainly contributed by smallholders sector (88.5%) as compared to estates sector (11.5%).

Thai consumer confidence rose for a third straight month in August, reaching a seven-month high and bolstered by improved economic activity following an easing of pandemic curbs, a survey showed on Tuesday.

The U.K. economy is running out of workers, even as it slows dramatically under the weight of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

Monthly U.S consumer prices unexpectedly rose in August as declining gasoline prices were offset by gains in the costs of rent and food, giving cover for the Federal Reserve to deliver another hefty interest rate increase next Wednesday.