Asian Rubber Futures End Mixed on Sept.16

Asian rubber markets finished the session mixed as investors mostly stayed on the sidelines awaiting a U.S. Federal Reserve decision on whether to raise interest rates for the first time in nearly a decade.

"They are waiting to see whether the Fed is going to raise rates before they decide on a direction," said a Singapore based trader.

At a two-day policy meeting starting Wednesday, Fed officials will decide whether to raise interest rates for the first time since the financial crisis. Rock-bottom interest rates have underpinned years of rising stock markets.

The trader added that, longer term, the market remains soft after coming under significant pressure in recent weeks due to concerns about demand from China.

The December Tocom benchmark rubber contract ended the night session up Y3.2 at Y174.0 a kilogram, which is considered part of the next day of trading.