KOTTAYAM, MARCH 15:
Physical rubber prices improved on Friday. The market seemed to be moving with the hope that the steps taken by the Government to increase the import duty would help the commodity to recover from the current declines.
There were enquiries from certain major consuming industries, an observer said.
Sheet rubber firmed up to Rs 162.50 (Rs 162.00) a kg both at Kottayam and Kochi according to traders and the Rubber Board. The trend was partially mixed as ISNR 20 finished unchanged on comparatively dull volumes.
The March series closed at Rs 161.90 (Rs 161.00), April at Rs 163.68 (Rs 163.97), May at Rs 166.85 (Rs 167.36), June at Rs 169.75 (Rs 169.90), July at Rs 170.71 (Rs 170.71) and August at Rs 173.00 (Rs 172.88) a kg on the National Multi Commodity Exchange (NMCE).
RSS 3 (spot) inched up to Rs 158.96 (Rs 158.14) a kg at Bangkok.
The March futures increased to ¥269.0 (Rs 151.19) on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange (TOCOM).
The spot rubber rates in Rs/kg were: RSS-4: 162.50 (162.00); RSS-5: 160.00 (159.00); Ungraded: 156.50 (156.00); ISNR 20: 160.00 (160.00) and Latex 60%: 108.00 (107.00).
Source: Business Line
