Kuala lumpur: The Kuala Lumpur rubber market concluded with mixed results on Wednesday, as Standard Malaysian Rubber (SMR) 20 prices maintained their upward trajectory, driven by gains in regional rubber futures markets, according to a dealer.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the market sentiment was bolstered by China's latest stimulus measures and concerns about tightening raw material supplies in major natural rubber-producing countries due to persistent wet weather. Despite these factors, further gains were curtailed by weaker crude oil prices.

Japanese rubber futures remained steady after reaching a 10-month high earlier, amid fears that wet weather in Thailand, a key rubber producer, could disrupt production. Thailand's Meteorological Department issued warnings of isolated heavy thunderstorms in the southern region from January 6-9, a significant rubber-producing area, which continued to apply upward pressure on prices.

Globally, oil prices fell following an announcement by United States President Donald Trump that the US had reached a deal to import US$2 billion worth of Venezuelan crude, raising expectations of increased oil supply to the world's largest consumer.

At 3 pm, SMR 20 increased by 4.5 sen to 764.50 sen per kilogramme (kg), while latex in bulk was down slightly by one sen per kg to 577 sen per kg.