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RUBBER-Japan futures rebound on stronger domestic equities, financial healing bets

* Japanese rubber futures rebounded from earlier losses to close greater on Thursday, driven by a stronger Nikkei that improved financier confidence, while optimism concerning the country's. financial healing also provided support.

* The rubber contract for August delivery. on the Osaka Exchange (OSE) closed up 2.8 yen, or. 0.81%, at 349.3 yen ($ 2.31) per kg.

* The rubber contract for May shipment on the. Shanghai. Futures Exchange (SHFE) fell 485 yuan to end up at 14,940 yuan. ($ 2,075.29) per metric heap.

* Japan's benchmark Nikkei average closed. 2.03%. greater, notching a

record closing high

.

* Bank of Japan's (BOJ) Guv Kazuo Ueda stated the. reserve bank would continue to support the economy by. keeping accommodative monetary conditions for the time. being.

* The yen reinforced 0.17% versus the dollar,. reversing. a few of its significant losses following the BOJ's policy shift.

* Confidence amongst large Japanese business. rebounded to a. three-month high in March, while the service-sector sentiment. strike a seven-month high, a

poll

showed, suggesting growing optimism among services. for a healing in Japan.

* Japan's exports grew for the 3rd consecutive month in. February, driven by increased demand from the U.S., China and. the European Union.

* Factory activity

contracted

in March, although at the slowest speed seen in 4. months, an organization survey showed on Thursday.

* Oil rates recovered on Thursday, supported by. drawdowns. in U.S. crude and gas stocks. Natural rubber frequently takes. instructions from oil rates, as it completes for market share with. artificial rubber, which is made from petroleum.

* Thailand's meteorological agency warned of. thundershower, gust and hail from March 20-21, in addition to hot. weather from March 22-27, possibly triggering crop damage.

* The front-month rubber agreement on Singapore Exchange's. SICOM. platform for April delivery last traded at 167.5 U.S. cents per kg, falling 2.56%.

(source: Reuters)