Date:18/07/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/07/18/stories/2006071804120800.htm

Back Spot rubber rules steady

Aravindan

Kottayam , July 17

The week opened with a steady note in physical rubber prices. RSS 4 closed at Rs 100 a kg both at Kottayam and Kochi as on Saturday. But the undercurrent was weak since major consuming industries continued to abstain the market expecting sheet rubber to fall below Rs 100 level shortly.

Futures weak

The NMCE rubber futures turned weak reacting in tune with Bangkok though TOCOM remained closed on Monday. The August contract was traded at Rs 100.05 (Rs 101.32), September at Rs 98.02 (Rs 99.80), October at Rs 95 (Rs 97.11) and November at Rs 92.26 (Rs 95) per kg for RSS 4.

The volumes stood at 1,154 tonnes with 786 tonnes in August, 291 tonnes in September, 48 tonnes in October and 29 tonnes in November till noon.

RSS 3 declined further to Rs 120.05 from Rs 121.94 a kg at Bangkok.

Spot prices (Rs a kg) were: RSS-4: Rs 100 (Rs 100); RSS-5: Rs 97.50 (Rs 98); ungraded: Rs 96 (Rs 96); ISNR 20: Rs 97 (Rs 97) and latex 60 per cent: Rs 79.45 (Rs 79.45).