Rubber declines

TOKYO - Rubber declined for a second day to the lowest level in more than a week. The retreat came after Toyota Motor Corp said it will halt car production in Europe later this month, boosting speculation that demand for tires will weaken.

The September-delivery contract lost as much as 4.6 percent to 438.2 yen ($5.22) a kilogram, the lowest level since April 4.

Output at Toyota's five European plants will be halted for several days in late April and early May. That's because of a shortage of parts as a result of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, the company said on Tuesday.