Castor oil commercial shot up sharply by Rs 7 to Rs 324 from the last close of Rs 317. Castorseeds ready rose sharply by Rs 33 to Rs 1459 from the previous close of Rs 1426, due to paucity of stocks in the absence of arrivals.

The futures market was quite active. Castorseeds September opened higher at Rs 1435.50 on bull support. Later, prices rose further to a high of Rs 1440 on sustained buying but subsequently came down on profit-taking to settle at Rs 1435, still showing a gain of Rs 4.50 from the previous close of Rs 1430.50.

Linseed oil, in the industrial sector, declined by Rs 2 to close at Rs 450 from the previous close of Rs 452 due to lack of inquiries from the paint industry. Linseeds ready ruled quiet at Rs 1500.

Among edible oils,groundnut oil declined by Rs 2 to Rs 470 from the last close of Rs 472 due to adequate supplies. Groundnuts ready was steady at Rs 2040. Imported palm oil eased by Rs.4 to Rs 378 from Rs 382 owing to increased arrivals as against poor offtake. Bullion firms upBoth the precious metals rose sharply on the bullion market here today. The firm trend was inadvertantly helped by a sharp fall in the rupee value affecting imports.

Silver prices shot up due to stringent supplies of recycled silver coupled with poor arrivals through imports. Bullish overseas advices aided the uptrend.

Silver ready .999 fineness rose by Rs 40 to Rs 7900 and tenderable to Rs 7905 from the previous close of Rs 7860 and Rs 7865 respectively. Raw silver .916 fineness hardened by Rs 35 to Rs 7775 from the last close of Rs 7740.

Gold prices flared up on good local buying in the wake of poor supplies and helped by better international price trends. Standard gold flared up by Rs 50 to Rs 4275 from the last close of Rs 4225. 22-carat goldwas nominally quoted higher at Rs 3955 from Rs 3910. Ten-tola gold bar .999 purity firmed up by Rs 400 to Rs 50,200 from the previous close of Rs 49,800. Sugar easyA dull-to-easy trend was in evidence on the sugar market following slack demand which induced increased offerings.

M-30 at Rs 1465-1500 and S-30 at Rs 1450-1468 a quintal ex-godown were quiet. Ex-octroi checkpost, M-30 were on offer at Rs 1450-1460 and S-30 at Rs 1435-1440.

In tenders, the price eased by Rs 5 as M-30 were indicated at Rs 1405-1410 and S-30 at Rs 1390-1395 in Kolhapur line.

Imported sugar lost Rs 5. Pakistani sugar found sellers at Rs 1420 and EEC at Rs 1415-1420 plus tax.

Grains steady

A steady trend prevailed on the grains market. Activity was restricted.Milling wheat were well-held at Rs 661-665 a quintal. However, undertone was firm as the price at Ahmedabad went up from Rs 611 to Rs 620. Saurashtra Lokvan at Rs 725-775, SW at Rs 900-1100, north Gujarat at Rs 665-750, MP 147 at Rs 900-1100 and Sarbati in therange of Rs 900-1400 were maintained.

Rice SLO were traded at Rs 1000-1075, Punjab Sarbati in the range of Rs 1000-2100, Tericot at Rs 1700-1800 and Permal superior at Rs 1100-1200.Among pulses, green peas USA were on offer at Rs 1675-1700 and Canadian at Rs 1221-1225. White peas Canadian were on offer at Rs 1070-1075.

Kabuli gram A-2 Mexican were placed at Rs 3000, Iranian at Rs 2500-2800, B-2 at Rs 2300-2400 and C-2 at Rs 1550. Rajma chitra deshi and imported were traded at Rs 2800 and at Rs 2700 respectively. Red rajma imported were mentioned at Rs 2000-2050.

Cotton gains afresh

Cotton price firmed up afresh on buying support and reserved selling.Gaining Rs 100 a candy V-797 were up at Rs 16,300-16,500, Morbi wagad at Rs 15,900 and Kala-ginned at Rs 15,600-15,700 spot. Sanker ruled in the range of Rs 18,500-22,500.

Punjab cotton ruled steady. J-34 saw-ginned good average ruled at Rs 2050-2150, cart-selected at Rs 2200-2250 and Bengal Deshi at Rs 1630-1680 a maund.

Meanwhile, theMaharashtra federation has struck deals for export of 50,000 bales in the price range of 48 to 51 cents a lb FOB, it was learnt. Besides, negotiations were going on for another 50,000 bales.

Yarn lacklustre

In lacklustre trading prices hovered around the last week end levels on the yarn market.

Viscvose filament yarn bright cones first quality Century Rayon/Indian Rayon 150dn ruled at Rs 224, 120dn at Rs 245, 100dn at Rs 258 and 75dn at Rs 270 a kg. 120dn dull cones were on offer at Rs 252.

In the case of nylons Shreelon 15/1/0dn were placed at Rs 265 and Gujnil 20/1/0dn at Rs 225.