TOKYO (Reuters) - Asian shares and U.S. stock futures rose on Wednesday, as investors tried to shake off worries about the coronavirus epidemic after a slight decline in the number of new cases.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Global demand for and output of natural rubber (NR) fell last year versus 2018, according to the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC), which said the outbreak of the novel coronavirus has clouded its outlook for at least the first quarter of 2020.

LOCAL rubber glove makers are estimated to chart strong improvement in their financial performance for financial year 2019 (FY19) and FY20, underpinned by higher demand for rubber products and resolved labour issues.

Kochi: India’s tyre industry is worried over the continuing shortage of natural rubber in the market at a time when the automobile sector is showing signs of revival. “Despite Rubber Board data showing higher production this year, the flow of rubber into the market has not been steady,’’ said Ashish Pandey, VP-materials at J K Tyres.

TOKYO (Reuters) - Asian shares fell and Wall Street retreated from record highs on Tuesday after Apple Inc (AAPL.O) said it will not meet its revenue guidance for the March quarter as the coronavirus outbreak slowed production and weakened demand in China.

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oil prices slipped on Tuesday on lingering concerns over the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak in China and its effect on oil demand, tracking losses in financial markets.