Rubber witnesses firm trend

Spot rubber displayed a steady trend on May 17. RSS 4 ended at Rs 88 against Rs 87.50 a kg at Kottayam. The grade was static at Rs 88 a kg at Kochi resisting to decline in tune with domestic futures. On NMCE, the prices were moderately better early in the session but a panic profit booking hammered them to the negative territory towards mid session. The June contract declined to Rs 89.60 (90.22), July to Rs 91.60 (92.33) August to Rs 91.69 (92.44) and September contract to Rs 89.70 (90.39) per kg for RSS 4. The June contract weakened to Rs 89.42 from Rs 89.99 a kg on MCX. RSS 3 (spot) increased sharply by Rs 2.40 to Rs 96.95 a kg at Bangkok. Spot prices were (Rs/kg): RSS-4: 88 (87.50); RSS-5: 87 (86); ungraded: 86 (85); ISNR 20: 87 (86.25) and latex 60 per cent: 63.15 (63.15).