Mixed trend continued to prevail in spot rubber on Friday. Sellers stayed back as covering buyers turned active in leading counters prior to the weekend session.

Sheet rubber improved to Rs 181 (180) a kg at Kottayam and Kochi, according to traders and the Rubber Board.

RSS 4 weakened with August futures slipping to Rs.178.47 (179.41), September to Rs.176.60 (177.81) and October to Rs. 175.50 (177.28) on the National Multi Commodity Exchange.

RSS 3 (spot) slipped to Rs.169.96 (170.68) a kg at Bangkok.

The August series dropped from ¥ 215.7 a kg to ¥ 216.1 (Rs.153.14) in the night session on Tokyo Commodity Exchange .

Physical rubber rates (Rs/kg) were : RSS-4: 181 (180); RSS-5: 174.50 (174); ungraded: 168 (167); ISNR 20: 167.50 (167.50) and Latex 60 per cent: 128.50 (129).