Tokyo futures inch lower on stronger yen

Benchmark TOCOM rubber futures inched lower on Monday as the Japanese yen advanced to five-
month highs against the dollar amid rising geopolitical tensions over North Korea.

FUNDAMENTALS

* The Tokyo Commodity Exchange rubber contract for September delivery fell 0.2 yen to 218.3 yen
($2.02) per kg by 0011 GMT. The contract fell to a near five-month low of 215.5 yen on Thursday.

* Benchmark Shanghai futures ended the night session up 1 percent on Friday.

* For the top stories in the rubber market and other news, click or

MARKET NEWS

* Oil prices were eased slightly on Monday, with Brent futures down 16 cents at $55.73 a barrel.

* The U.S. dollar was quoted around 108.30 yen, compared with around 109.15 yen on Friday
afternoon. A stronger yen makes Japanese currency-denominated assets more expensive when
purchased in other currencies.

* Japan's benchmark Nikkei stock average was down 0.4 percent.

* Shanghai copper closed up slightly on Friday but was still mired near its weakest for the year as
mounting geopolitical tensions curbed appetite for risk, while London markets were closed for the
Easter holiday.

DATA/EVENTS (GMT)

* The following data is expected on Monday: (Time in GMT)

- 1230 U.S. NY Fed Manufacturing Apr

- 1400 U.S. NAHB Housing Market Indx Apr ($1 = 108.3200 yen) (Reporting by Osamu Tsukimori;
Editing by Kenneth Maxwell)