Kuala Lumpur: The Malaysian rubber market ended slightly higher today, buoyed by stable benchmark crude oil prices and an increase in regional rubber futures markets, said a dealer.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, market sentiment also received a boost from the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries' (ANRPC) projection data on global natural rubber production, amid growing hopes of Chinese stimulus measures. However, further gains were restrained by the escalating Middle East conflict, which has intensified global economic uncertainties.

ANRPC reported that global natural rubber production is expected to grow marginally by 0.5 percent in 2025 compared to 2024. Concurrently, the demand for natural rubber is projected to experience a slower growth rate of 1.3 percent this year.

At 3 pm, the Malaysian Rubber Board reported that the price of Standard Malaysian Rubber 20 (SMR 20) increased by 10 sen to 735.5 sen per kilogramme (kg), while latex in bulk rose by three sen to 627 sen per kg.