* Japanese rubber futures retreated slightly on Wednesday,
as
recession fears dampened trader sentiment, but recovering crude
prices and plans to support auto exports in China limited
losses.
* The Osaka Exchange (OSE) rubber contract for October
delivery was down 0.2 yen, or 0.1%, at 211.8 yen
($1.59) per kg as of 0202 GMT.
* The rubber contract on the Shanghai futures exchange
(SHFE) for
September delivery was down 90 yuan, or 0.8%, at 11,950
yuan ($1,727.30) per tonne.
* Japan's benchmark Nikkei average opened down
0.49%.
* U.S. consumer confidence dropped to a nine-month low in
April,
further heightening the risk that the economy could fall into
recession this year.
* China stocks fell for a
fifth straight session on Tuesday after data highlighted an uneven economic recovery, while investors worried about lingering geopolitical risks.
* Still, China's cabinet on Tuesday issued a plan to
stabilise its
vital trade sector, including supporting exports of automobiles
and facilitating visas for overseas businessmen, as subdued
global demand threatens its exports outlook.
* Oil prices rose slightly in early Asian trade on Wednesday
after
shedding 2% in the previous session to hit its lowest price this
month.
* U.S. stock futures bounced as buybacks and earnings beats
boosted tech giants in after-hours trade, while Asian shares
wallowed at one-month lows on Wednesday, with investors turning
nervous on the outlook for the world's two biggest economies.
* The front-month rubber contract on Singapore Exchange's
SICOM
platform for May delivery last traded at 137.3 U.S.
cents per kg, down 0.8%.
($1 = 133.4900 yen)
($1 = 6.9183 yuan)
(Reporting by Carman Chew; Editing by Varun H K)
