Rubber price gains on demand

Kottayam: The physical rubber prices increased on Aug 18. RSS 4 closed at Rs 82 and Rs 81.50 a kg respectively at Kottayam and Kochi against Rs 80.75 and Rs 81 a kg on Aug 17. The rubber futures ended better probably on speculative purchasing and short covering in the weekend session. The September contract for the grade increased to Rs 82.50 (80.87), October to Rs 80.45 (79), November to Rs 79.79 (78.53) and December to Rs 78.74 (77.78) per kg on NMCE. Spot prices were (Rs/kg: RSS-4: 82 (80.75); RSS-5: 79 (77); ungraded: 75.50 (74.50); ISNR 20: 79 (77.50) and latex 60 per cent: 58.95 (58.95).