* Japanese rubber futures rose on Monday in thin trade,
helped by
a weaker yen after the Bank of Japan announced it would keep
rates ultra-low, though concerns over U.S. banking crisis and
China's slow economic recovery limited gains.
* The Osaka Exchange (OSE) rubber contract for October
delivery was up 1.7 yen, or 0.8%, at 210.4 yen ($1.5)
per kg as of 0037 GMT.
* The BOJ kept ultra-low interest rates on Friday but
announced a
plan to review its past monetary policy moves.
* U.S. dollar was quoted around 136.64 yen , compared
with
around 134.98 yen on Friday afternoon. A weaker yen makes
yen-denominated assets more affordable when purchased in other
currencies.
* China's manufacturing activity unexpectedly shrank in
April,
official data showed on Sunday, raising pressure on policymakers
seeking to boost an economy struggling for a post-COVID lift-off
amid subdued global demand and persistent property weakness.
* U.S. regulators are trying to clinch a sale of First
Republic
Bank over the weekend, with roughly half a dozen banks
bidding, sources said on Saturday, in what is likely to be the
third major U.S. bank to fail in two months.
* PNC Financial Services Group , JPMorgan Chase & Co and Citizens Financial Group Inc were among
banks that submitted final bids for First Republic Bank on
Sunday, sources familiar with the matter said.
* Japan's benchmark Nikkei average opened up 0.8%.
* Rubber inventories in warehouses monitored by the Shanghai
Futures Exchange fell 0.6% from last Friday, the exchange said
on Friday.
* Trading was light as many of Asian financial markets are
closed
for holiday. The Shanghai Futures Exchange will be shut over May
1-3 for the Labor Day holiday.
* Singapore's financial markets will be closed on Monday for
a
public holiday. Trading will resume on Tuesday, May 2.
($1 = 136.6500 yen)
(Reporting by Yuka Obayashi)
