By Durratul Ain Ahmad Fuad
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 (Bernama) -- The Kuala Lumpur rubber market ended mixed today, tracking gains in regional rubber futures, said a dealer.
She said the market was also supported by higher crude oil prices amid renewed concerns over potential supply disruptions in West Asia. Market sentiment was also supported by the positive outlook for global electric vehicle (EV) sales and improving economic indicators in the United States.
“However, gains were capped by expectations of persistent global inflation and a stronger ringgit against the US dollar,” the dealer told Bernama.
She said crude oil prices rose following an attack on a Saudi Arabian refinery, renewing concerns over potential supply disruptions in West Asia.
At the time of writing, Brent crude futures had risen 1.37 per cent to US$115.40 a barrel.
Meanwhile, she said heavy rainfall in southern Thailand is expected to continue through Oct 28, potentially disrupting tapping activities and tightening rubber supply.
“Global EV sales are projected to increase by 11 per cent to 23.3 million units in 2026, supporting the longer-term outlook for automotive and tyre demand,” she added.
At 3 pm, the Malaysian Rubber Board’s Standard Malaysian Rubber 20 (SMR 20) price increased by three sen to 1,030 sen per kilogramme (kg), while bulk latex fell by two sen to 798 sen per kg.
-- BERNAMA