* Japanese rubber futures rallied on Monday, underpinned by
stronger crude oil and tighter inventories, while investors
hoped to see signs of a recovery in China's economy from
March-quarter data scheduled to be released on Tuesday.
* The Osaka Exchange (OSE) rubber contract for September
delivery was up 2.7 yen, or 1.3%, at 212.5 yen ($1.59)
per kg, as of 0205 GMT, rising towards a two-week high.
* The rubber contract on the Shanghai futures exchange
(SHFE) for
September delivery was up 150 yuan, or 1.3%, at 11,860
yuan ($1,724.51) per tonne.
* Rubber inventories in warehouses monitored by the Shanghai
Futures Exchange fell 0.4 % from last Friday, the exchange said
on Friday.
* Japan's benchmark Nikkei average opened up 0.16%.
* Chinese data on retail sales, industrial output and gross
domestic product are due on Tuesday, and analysts suspect the
risks are for an upside surprise given recent strength in trade.
Figures out over the weekend showed new home prices climbed at
the fastest pace in 21 months, supporting consumer demand and
confidence.
* Oil prices edged up, supported by OPEC+'s plans to cut
more
output, while investors eyed Chinese economic data for signs of
a demand recovery by the world's No. 2 oil consumer.
* The natural rubber market is helped by stronger oil prices
as
manufacturers are incentivised to shift away from synthetic
rubber that is derived from oil, driving natural rubber prices
higher.
* Asian stocks opened cautiously on Monday as U.S. earnings
season
gets into full swing, while a raft of Chinese data will offer
insight into how the world's second-largest economy is
recovering.
* The front-month rubber contract on Singapore Exchange's
SICOM
platform for May delivery last traded at 136.9 U.S.
cents per kg, up 1.6%.
($1 = 133.9100 yen)
($1 = 6.8773 yuan)
(Reporting by Carman Chew; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu)
SINGAPORE, April 17 (Reuters) -
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