Rubber Market Ends Mixed On Weaker Regional Futures, Lower Crude Oil Prices

By K. Naveen Prabu

KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 (Bernama) -- The Kuala Lumpur rubber market ended mixed on Monday, tracking weaker regional rubber futures, according to a dealer.

He said declining crude oil prices also weighed down market sentiment.

“Oil prices tumbled more than six per cent as easing tensions between the United States and Iran reduced geopolitical risk premiums,” he told Bernama. 

At the time of writing, the Brent crude oil price was down 7.95 per cent to US$89.09 per barrel.

According to the dealer, weaker Chinese economic data and a subdued outlook for the country’s economic growth in the second half of 2026 also contributed to the market’s weakness.

“China’s industrial profit growth slowed to 15.1 per cent in June, signalling weaker manufacturing momentum.

“On the other hand, China’s economic outlook in the second half of 2026 weakened due to soft domestic demand, weak credit growth, the property sector downturn and moderating exports,” he said. 

Nevertheless, the dealer said further losses were capped by positive US economic data and easing geopolitical tensions in West Asia, which raised hopes for further de-escalation. 

“US business activity strengthened in July, with the services Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rising to 53.6 from 51.2 in June, while the composite PMI reached an eight-month high of 53.6, supporting a resilient economic outlook.

“Whereas the US-Iran attack pause eased geopolitical tensions and concerns over energy supply disruptions, weighing on oil prices,” the dealer said. 

At 3 pm, the price of Standard Malaysian Rubber 20 (SMR 20) rose 4.50 sen to 896.50 sen per kilogramme (kg), while latex in bulk dropped 5.50 sen to 712.50 sen per kg.

-- BERNAMA