Tokyo rubber gains on April 1

Tokyo Commodity Exchange (TOCOM) futures rose on Monday, recovering from an about 6-week low it hit last Friday, amid optimism over economy in China, the world's biggest rubber buyer, after strong factory activity data. Factory activity in China unexpectedly grew for the first time in four months in March, an official survey showed on Sunday, suggesting government stimulus measures may be starting to take hold in the world's second-largest economy.
The benchmark TOCOM rubber contract for September delivery finished 2.3 yen, or 1.3 percent, higher at 184.5 yen ($1.66) per kg.
The most-active rubber contract on the Shanghai futures exchange for September delivery rose 185 yuan to finish at 11,365 yuan ($1,694) per tonne.
"Robust data from China gave a boost to investors," a Tokyo-based dealer said. "Higher stocks in China and Tokyo also lent support," he added.
TOCOM's technically specified rubber (TSR) 20 futures contract for new October delivery closed steady at its opening price of 162.7 yen per kg
The front-month rubber contract on Singapore's SICOM exchange for May delivery last traded at 144.8 US cents per kg, up 1.8 percent.
Thailand, the world's top natural rubber producer, will delay the start of planned curbs on exports of the commodity by over a month due to the general election in the country, officials from two other nations that are also making cuts said last month.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock average climbed 1.4 percent on Monday as strong Chinese factory activity data and signs of progress in US-China trade negotiations gave investors a reason to cheer.
Oil prices rose on Monday, adding to gains in the first quarter when major benchmarks posted their biggest increases in nearly a decade, as concerns about supplies outweigh fears of a slowing global economy.
US President Donald Trump said on Friday that trade talks with China were going very well, but cautioned that he would not accept anything less than a "great deal" after top US and Chinese trade officials wrapped up two days of negotiations in Beijing.