TOKYO, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Japan's exports sped up in November, as supply constraints eased slightly for the country's big automakers, although imports hit a record on soaring materials costs, which could hurt household consumption.

TOKYO, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Japan's manufacturing activity expanded for an 11th straight month in December, but at a slightly slower pace than the previous month as weaker output and new order growth softened.

The Department of Statistics, Malaysia today released Monthly Rubber Statistics, Malaysia, October 2021. This publication consists of statistics on production, imports, exports, domestic consumption, stocks, prices, number of employees, salaries & wages and productivity of rubber estates.

MELBOURNE, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Oil prices fell for a third day straight on Wednesday on growing expectations that supply growth will outpace demand growth next year, even though the Omicron coronavirus variant is not seen curbing mobility as sharply as earlier COVID-19 variants.

SYDNEY, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Asian markets were precariously poised on Wednesday as the world waited to hear from the U.S. Federal Reserve on when it would stop buying assets and start raising interest rates, possibly piling pressure on its peers to follow.

BEIJING, Dec 15 (Reuters) - China's factory output grew faster than expected in November, supported by stronger energy production and a moderation in sky-high materials costs, but new curbs to fight rising COVID-19 cases hit retailers in the world's second-largest economy.