Global Market Volatility, Supply Concerns Likely To Drive Malaysian Rubber Prices Next Week
By Rosemarie Khoo Mohd Sani
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 16 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian rubber market is expected to experience a mixed trend next week, as volatility in global commodity and financial markets continues to influence regional rubber futures, said the Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association (MARGMA).
The association said key factors likely to drive the market include the latest United States (US) tariffs, the ringgit-US dollar exchange rate, and fluctuations in benchmark crude oil prices.
'MARGMA believes the tariffs could signal a slowing US economy, as they are expected to drive up the cost of imported raw materials.
'Additionally, heightened speculation regarding the appointment of the next US Federal Reserve chair is expected to contribute to market uncertainty,' it told Bernama.
The association added that developments related to US trade tariffs and interest rate policies, as well as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, would closely be monitored by traders.
On the supply side, MARGMA said heavy rains anticipated in major rubber-producing countries, particularly Thailand, could disrupt supply.
In Malaysia, natural rubber production rose 5.9 per cent month-on-month in June 2025, indicating healthy production capacity.
It noted that the 90-day extension of the tariff pause between the US and China, together with China's 7.2 per cent export surge in July and growth in its services sector, could lend support to demand.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Barnama
an hour ago
- Barnama
Guigang's 15th Lotus Culture Series Blooms, Driving Tourism, Smart Cultural Growth
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 (Bernama) -- Guigang, Guangxi in China, has officially launched the 15th Lotus Culture Series, a multi-month celebration that blends tradition, culture, and technology to fuel the city's booming tourism sector. Running from July to October, the event will feature theatrical performances, poetry contests, and the selection of 'Top Lotus-Viewing Spots', all aimed at deepening visitor engagement and cultural pride. Endowed with exceptional ecological strengths, Guigang is building an ecotourism destination serving the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area and ASEAN, with its "Three Mountains, One Gorge, One Culture" as the core. Currently, the city boasts 52 national A-level tourist attractions, 37 rural tourist areas rated four-star or above, and 17 themed tourism camps, while its brand "Camping Paradise, Carefree Guigang" is gaining increasing acclaim. According to the Publicity Department of Guigang City in a statement, Guigang welcomed over 32 million tourists in the first half of 2025, generating 30.121 billion Chinese yuan in tourism revenue, up 12.88 per cent and 13.87 per cent year on year, respectively. (100 Chinese yuan = RM58.82) To extend its reach, the city is leveraging performances and events to boost urban development, which include the Guangxi division of the "Village Basketball Association", the "Douyin Football Carnival", the "Gangren Gangye Concert", along with the hosting of the 15th National Games Basketball Qualifiers, highlighting its reputation as a "City of Sports, Capital of Leisure". The Douyin event alone earned 1.83 billion online exposures, pushing Guigang into the top three of Douyin's city search rankings. These events generated significant spikes in hotel stays and local consumption, demonstrating a clear 'event-driven, extended-stay' tourism pattern. To sustain this momentum, Guigang is stepping up its three-year intensive campaign for the cultural and tourism industry, signing 22 new projects worth 2.401 billion Chinese yuan and accelerating 42 key cultural and tourism projects in the first half of 2025. The city is also pushing forward with 'culture-tourism + AI' integration, recently launching an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered interpretation system at the Pingnan County Museum.
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Asean-BAC proposes CSR working group for regional CSR alignment
KUALA LUMPUR: The Asean Business Advisory Council (Asean-BAC) is proposing the establishment of a corporate social responsibility (CSR) Working Group to drive regional alignment, improve oversight, and catalyse greater private sector contributions across the region. This was a key recommendation made in its 'CSR in Asean Report', the first comprehensive region-wide blueprint to strengthen corporate contributions and cross-border philanthropy in Asean. In a statement today, Asean-BAC chairman Tan Sri Nazir Razak said the proposed CSR Working Group is a practical way to align standards, strengthen oversight and mobilise the private sector as a force for equitable development. "We can turn CSR into a strategic force for inclusive and sustainable growth in Asean, and this is also very much in line with the Malaysian government's Asean chairmanship theme in 2025," he said. The proposed CSR Working Group would act as a dedicated regional platform, bringing together representatives from governments, businesses and civil society. "The working group's role would be to clarify definitions of CSR, harmonise disclosure standards, encourage enabling policies and incentives, and ensure that contributions are deployed more strategically for maximum impact," said Asean-BAC. Commissioned by Asean-BAC Malaysia and researched by the Centre for Asian Philanthropy and Society (CAPS), the CSR in Asean Report is a core part of the Asean Corporate Philanthropy Framework, one of the 12 key initiatives under Malaysia's Asean-BAC Chairmanship in 2025.
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
IAB signs underwriting deal with M&A Securities for ACE Market listing
From left: Insights Analytics Bhd executive director Bong Joon Fook, Insights Analytics managing director Frank Wee, M & A Equity Holdings Bhd managing director Datuk Bill Tan and M & A Securities Sdn Bhd head of corporate finance Gary Ting. KUALA LUMPUR: Sarawak-based technology solutions provider, Insights Analytics Bhd (IAB), has signed an underwriting agreement with M & A Securities Sdn Bhd for its listing on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd. IAB is principally involved in the supply of water technology solutions for water management across the water utility supply chain from water treatment to distribution, primarily in Sarawak. In a statement, IAB said its initial public offering (IPO) entails a public issue of 121.0 million new shares and an offer for sale of 27.5 million existing shares, representing 22.0% and 5.0% respectively of IAB's enlarged share capital of 550.0 million shares upon listing. Of the 121.0 million new shares, 27.5 million will be offered to the Malaysian public via balloting. Another 11.0 million will be allocated to eligible directors, employees and contributors under the Pink Form Allocations, while 41.25 million is reserved for private placement to Bumiputera investors approved by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI). The remaining 41.25 million new shares will be placed out to selected investors by way of private placement. For the offer for sale, all 27.5 million shares are reserved for private placement to Bumiputera investors approved by the MITI. Pursuant to the underwriting agreement, M & A Securities will underwrite 38.5 million new shares offered to the Malaysian public and under the Pink Form Allocations. As at Jan 1, 2025, IAB's unbilled order book stood at RM36.1mil, which will be progressively recognised over the next two financial years in line with the expected progress of each project. IAB managing director Frank Wee said the IPO will allow the company to tap the equity capital market to fund business expansion, enhance technological capabilities, and support working capital for ongoing and future projects, while capitalising on growth opportunities in smart water management and Sarawak's broader smart city initiatives. 'With 20 years of proven expertise in Sarawak's water technology sector, IAB Group is well-positioned to capitalise on the Sarawak government's Water Sector Transformation 2040 agenda and Malaysia's broader push towards smart city infrastructure. 'Leveraging its track record, the group delivers smart, data-driven solutions that align seamlessly with Sarawak's aggressive infrastructure upgrades, utility digitalisation and integrated smart water initiatives - placing IAB at the forefront of the state's transformation journey,' Wee said. For the financial year ended April 30, 2024, IAB reported a net profit of RM6.9mil on the back of RM32mil revenue, with a gross profit margin of 40.0% and a net profit margin of 21.6%. IAB is tentatively scheduled to list on the ACE Market of Bursa Securities in October 2025. M & A Securities is the adviser, sponsor, underwriter and placement agent for the IPO exercise.
