Benchmark TOCOM rubber futures eased on Friday, remaining on course for a weekly decline of nearly 7 percent amid worries about oversupply and a stronger yen.
FUNDAMENTALS
* The Tokyo Commodity Exchange rubber contract for September delivery had fallen 1 yen to 222 yen per kg by 0014 GMT.
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MARKET NEWS
* Oil prices were little changed in modest volume on Thursday, during a week in which crude benchmarks recouped more of March's losses on increased hopes world supply and demand were nearing balance.
* The U.S. dollar was quoted around 109.12 yen, little changed from Thursday afternoon, after hitting a five-month low following remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump that the currency was getting too strong.
* Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock average was down 0.3 percent.
* Copper prices rebounded from their lowest level in three months on Thursday, helped by a weaker dollar and upbeat trade data from China, the largest consumer of the metal, that spurred hopes for higher demand.
DATA/EVENTS (GMT)
* The following data is expected on Friday: (Time in GMT)
- 1230 U.S. CPI index Mar
- 1230 U.S. Retail Sales Mar
- 1400 U.S. Business inventories Feb
