Rubber Witnesses Mixed Trend

Kottayam: Physical rubber prices were mixed on May 18. Covering groups were hesitant to offer better quotes as tyre sector continued to stay inactive against their expectations. The grade increased to Rs 88.50 and Rs 89 respectively at Kottayam and Kochi from Rs 88 a kg on May 17. The rubber futures increased further as TOCOM resumed the upward journey after Thursday's technical correction. On NMCE, the June contract increased to Rs 91.40 (89.54), July to Rs 93.40 (91.59) August to Rs 93.24 (91.73) and September to Rs 90.70 (89.66) per kg for RSS 4. Spot prices were (Rs/kg): RSS-4: 88.50 (88); RSS-5: 87.50 (87); ungraded: 86 (86); ISNR 20: 87 (87) and latex 60 per cent: 63.15 (63.15).