KOTTAYAM, DEC. 31:
Spot rubber improved on Monday.
The last trading day of the year ended on a positive note following fresh buying and short covering, though the market lost its initial strength partially during closing hours tracking the overall declines on the National Multi Commodity Exchange.
Long holidays in the global trend setters and the absence of genuine buyers kept sheet rubber under pressure but the grade improved to Rs 162.50 (162) a kg at Kottayam and Kochi, according to traders and the Rubber Board.
The trend continued to be mixed.
In futures, the January contracts weakened to Rs 164.58 (166.20), February to Rs 167.19 (168.66) and March to Rs 169.60 (171.63) a kg, while the April, May and June series remained inactive on the NMCE.
The Tokyo Commodity Exchange remained closed owing to a designated holiday.
Spot rates were (Rs/kg): RSS-4: 162.50 (162); RSS-5: 157 (156); ungraded: 152 (151.50); ISNR 20: 151.50 (151.50) and latex 60 per cent: 105.50 (105.50).
Source: Business Line
