TOKYO- * Japanese rubber futures ended higher for a fourth straight session on Wednesday, helped by upbeat sentiment in domestic equities, although concerns over tepid local automobiles sales capped further gains.
* The Osaka Exchange rubber contract for July delivery : finished 1.0 yen, or 0.4%, higher at 247.7 yen ($2.2) per kg. The benchmark touched the highest since Jan. 21 of 248.0 yen earlier in the session.
* Japan's benchmark Nikkei share average rose 1.7% on Wednesday as an overnight Wall Street rally improved risk appetite, prompting investors to scoop up stocks sold off last month as well as those with a robust outlook. .T
* Sales of new automobiles slumped in January, adding to growing signs that Japan's economy could contract in the current quarter due to persistent supply chain disruptions and a surge in Omicron coronavirus cases.
* Trade was light as several markets in Asia were closed for a public holiday.
* Mainland Chinese markets are shut for a week-long Lunar New Year holiday from Jan. 31.
* Singapore's financial markets are closed for national holidays. Trading will resume on Thursday, Feb. 3.
($1 = 114.3800 yen)
(Reporting by Yuka Obayashi; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips and Ramakrishnan M.) ((Yuka.Obayashi@thomsonreuters.com; +813-4520-1265;))
