Standard gold edged up by Rs 5 to Rs 4,365 per 10g. Gold .22 carat rose by the same margin to Rs 4,040 per 10g. Festival buying for gold continued while thin supplies kept prices firm. Prices of the gold biscuit (116.50g), however, remained unchanged at Rs 51,300 per piece after gaining Rs 200 per piece last week. In the global market, the yellow metal reacted from $300.50 to $298/298.50 an ounce.

Silver .999 on the other hand softened by Rs 15 to Rs 7,435 per kg. In the ready section silver .916 eased by the same margin to Rs l7,320 per kg. Industrial buying for silver turned sluggish as continued supplies and weak global advices prompted profit taking among local stockists. Delhi was weak and in the overseas market the white metal slid from $4.97 to $4.90/4.91 per ounce.

Oil,oilseeds:

Groundnutoil suffered losses during special moorat trading for the new Hindu year. Castorseed and its oil dropped further. Groundnut oil declined from Rs 635 to Rs 627.25 per 10 kg on continued demand resistance by seasonal buyers, while higher prices attracted profit taking. In Rajkot, prices slipped below the Rs 800-mark to Rs 790 per 15 kg on brisk new crop arrivals. In the city market, delivery-after-a-week was quoted lower at Rs 610.25.

Imported palm oil on the other hand moved up from Rs 387 to Rs 389.25 per 10 kg exclusive of tax. Eased supplies and bullish overseas advices attributed to the sentiment. Besides, a series of bank holidays had affected clearance of imported cargo from the customs which in turn had created shortage of ready stock, according to traders.

Castor oil dropped by Rs 8 to Rs 430/442 per 10 kg on sluggish export demand. Castorseed ready fell by Rs 38 to Rs 1,962/1,968 per quintal reacting to news that late rain will help new crop of castorseed in the producing centres.

In thefutures section, castorseed December delivery reacted by Rs 13 to Rs 1,657 per quintal on bull unloading. In Ahmedabad, December delivery was placed lower at Rs 1,746 per quintal. Ready delivery was quoted at Rs 400 per 20 kg. Castor oil was down to Rs 421/422 per 10 kg. Hyderabad advices were discouraging.