Kuala lumpur: The Kuala Lumpur rubber market closed with slight gains, influenced by a weaker ringgit against the US dollar, as stated by a dealer.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the local currency opened this morning trading at 4.1120/1220 against the greenback, compared to 4.1100/1145 at the previous day's close. Concerns over potential natural rubber supply shortages due to adverse weather in Thailand, a major producer, also contributed to the rise in rubber market prices.

Market sentiment received a boost from positive economic data from China and optimism surrounding potential additional stimulus, fostering a mildly bullish outlook for the Asian market. However, the gains were tempered by declining benchmark crude oil prices and mixed trends in regional rubber futures. Traders remained cautious ahead of the US Federal Reserve's decision on interest rates and its economic outlook.

By 3 pm, the prices for Standard Malaysian Rubber (SMR) 20 and latex-in-bulk had increased by half-a-sen, reaching 718.5 sen per kilogramme (kg) and 576.5 sen per kg, respectively.