Key TOCOM rubber futures fell on Tuesday, paring gains from a five-week high marked earlier in the session as a retreat in stock markets prompted investors to take profits amid uncertainty in global demand.
FUNDAMENTALS
* The most-active Tokyo Commodity Exchange rubber contract for May delivery <0#2JRU:> was down 1.2 yen or 0.5 percent at 262.5 yen per kg as of 0029 GMT. The benchmark contract hit a five-week high of 264.3 yen in Monday's evening session, which is a part of Tuesday's trade.
* U.S. auto sales in November raced to a five-year high for that month on a rebound from storm-ravaged October and the need to replace aging vehicles, leaving industry executives optimistic about 2013.
* Global shares and crude oil pared early gains to trade mostly lower on Monday after U.S. manufacturing activity hit a three-year low in November, offsetting signs of revived growth in China.
* For the top stories in rubber market and other news, click , or
MARKET NEWS
* Japan's Nikkei share average edged down on Tuesday, trimming gains from a seven-month closing high in the previous session after Wall Street eased on weak U.S. economic data.
* The dollar traded at around 82.15 yen, retreating from a near eight-month high of 82.82 yen hit in late November.
* Brent oil prices turned lower on Monday after data showed U.S. manufacturing activity slowed to a three-year low, offsetting more optimistic figures from China.
