Rubber climbed as data in the U.S. yesterday showed companies in the world’s largest economy were expanding capacity, potentially boosting demand for the commodity used in tires. The contract for delivery in September, the most-active by volume, gained as much as 1.3 percent to 283 yen a kilogram ($2,992 a metric ton) before trading at 281.3 yen on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange by 10:41 a.m. local time. Orders for U.S. durable goods climbed more than…

KUALA LUMPUR–Malaysia’s natural rubber production fell 2.6% year-on-year in October to 83,591 metric tons, Department of Statistics data showed Wednesday. October exports fell 16% on year to 66,681 tons, while imports rose 52% to 93,061 tons. Standard rubber and latex concentrate accounted for 44% and 32% of total imports, respectively. The department didn’t explain the changes.