US NBR markets eased through May as NBR sentiment intensified late May. Early weakness reflected slower procurement by automotive and glove manufacturers; mid-month sentiment failed to restore momentum. By the end of May, NBR import arrivals and comfortable NBR stocks added supply-side pressure, while softer feedstock markets eroded NBR cost support. Market participants shifted to cautious purchasing, keeping offers under pressure and signaling a range-bound near-term environment rather than a rebound. Demand was uneven across end-use sectors, shaping price behavior for the NBR CFR Los Angeles grade. Softness in automotive and glove industries prompted NBR buyers to pull back, while industrial machinery and oil-and-gas equipment showed modest interest. The overall demand mix contributed to a downshift from prior levels, with weaker downstream procurement in focus. On the supply side, falling feedstock costs reduced NBR production-cost support, aiding sellers’ competitiveness. No material NBR plant outages were reported, and NBR imports and inventories eased tightness. Looking ahead, NBR prices are expected to oscillate within a broad range as demand remains fragile.
