Physical rubber prices were down on Tuesday. The market remained under pressure mainly following the declines in domestic futures. The sentiments were further dampened by the absence of genuine buyers in the local scene and the weakness in global trend setters.
Sheet rubber slipped to Rs 162.50 (163) a kg, according to traders. The grade closed unchanged at Rs 163 a kg at Kottayam and Kochi, according to Rubber Board.
The January series expired at Rs 161.75 (163.92) a kg, while the February series declined to Rs 163.76 (166.64), March to Rs 166.40 (169.06), April to Rs 170.35 (173), May to Rs 174.50 (176.20) and June to Rs 176.45 (179) a kg on the National Multi Commodity Exchange.
RSS 3 (spot) dropped to Rs 183.06 (183.70) a kg at Bangkok. The January futures slipped to ¥297.5 (Rs 182.78) from ¥298.4 during the day session, but then recovered partially to ¥298 (Rs 183.07) in the night session on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange.
Spot rates were (Rs/kg): RSS-4: 162.50 (163.50); RSS-5: 157 (158); ungraded: 152 (153.50); ISNR 20: 158 (159) and latex 60 per cent: 107.50 (108).