Kuala lumpur: The Kuala Lumpur rubber market ended higher on Friday, extending its gains amid rising Japanese rubber futures and supported by firm physical prices of the commodity in Thailand. Positive Chinese economic data further bolstered market sentiment, a trader said.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, China's industrial profits rose 15.2 per cent in January-February 2026, compared to 0.6 per cent in 2025. This indicates a recovery, although the market continues to face cost pressures and export risks. Improvements in US-China trade relations also contributed to the trend, with China's Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao emphasizing stronger economic and trade cooperation to boost bilateral relations.

The trader noted that gains were capped by mixed crude oil prices. Oil prices were mixed on Friday following US President Donald Trump's decision to extend a 10-day pause on attacks against Iran's energy plants, while uncertainty over the conflict persisted. At the time of writing, Brent crude oil rose 1.82 per cent to US$110 per barrel.

At 3 pm, the price of Standard Malaysian Rubber (SMR) 20 gained 3.50 sen to 803 sen per kilogramme (kg), while latex in bulk rose five sen to 689.50 sen per kg.