Date:24/05/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/05/24/stories/2005052400641000.htm

Back Mixed trend in rubber prices

Our Correspondent

Kottayam , May 23

THE domestic rubber prices showed a mixed trend on Monday. Sheet rubber recovered to Rs 64.50 on bargain hunting at lower levels after closing weak at Rs 64 a kg on Saturday.

Ungraded rubber lost 50 paise on dull demand while the other grades were steady with normal volumes. Meanwhile, most of the growers confirmed a further decline in production by almost 50 per cent as the dry weather continued to prevail all over the State.

The futures market was slightly weak even against a positive TOCOM closing. The June contract was quoted at Rs 64 (Rs 64.14); July contract at Rs 64 (Rs 64.16); August at Rs 61.70 (Rs 61.95); and September contract at Rs 59.50 (Rs 59.50) per kg for RSS 4.

At TOCOM, the June futures for RSS 3 improved sharply to 152 yen against 149.9 yen on Friday.

The rubber prices a kg on Monday were: RSS-4: Rs 64.50 (Rs 64); RSS-5: Rs 62.50 (Rs 62.50); ungraded: Rs 60.50 (Rs 61); ISNR 20: Rs 60.75 (Rs 60.75); and latex 60%: Rs 42 (Rs 42).