Groundnut oil rose further sharply by Rs 5 to end at Rs 380 from the last close of Rs 375 but, imported palm oil held steady at Rs 213.

Castor oil commercial fell by Rs 2 to Rs 345 from Rs 347 and castorseed Madras dropped to Rs 1575 from Rs 1585. Linseed oil held steady at Rs 345.In futures, castorseed March contrct opened weak at Rs 1550 and after moving in a wide range of Rs 1560 and Rs 1546, closed at the intra-day high of Rs 1560, still showing a sharp fall of Rs 18 over the last close of Rs 1578.In castor oil international contract, prices of both February and April deliveries held steady at Rs 368 and Rs 373 respectively.

Bullion recovers
Despite a weak trend in the global market, bullion prices showed fresh rise on the local market here today as both the precious metals, silver and gold, recovered smartly on heavy buying activity in the face of restricted supply.Standard gold, after a better start at Rs 4540, rose further on renewed buying and closed at Rs 4550, showing a good gain of Rs 20 over the previous close of Rs 4530. 22-carat gold was nominally quoted higher at Rs 4210 from the last close of Rs 4190 and ten-tola gold bar (.999 purity) firmed up by Rs 100 to Rs 53,300 from Rs 53,200.

Ready silver (.999 fineness) also started higher at Rs 8255 and due to good industrial demand, shot up to close at Rs 8280, recording a handsome gain of Rs 55 over the last close of Rs 8225. Raw silver (.916 fineness) improved by Rs 20 to Rs 8120 from Rs 8100 and tenderable silver hardened to Rs 8285 from Rs 8230.

Sugar divergent
A mixed trend prevailed on the sugar market. Activity was hampered by the transporters strike.

The reduced supply ex-godown in the wake of strike has pushed up the price by Rs 5 a quintal. M-30 were up at Rs 1445-1515 and S-30 at Rs 1410-1430. However, ex-octroi checkpost and mill delivery transactions having been badly hit lost Rs 10 in the case of M-30 while S-30 were down by Rs 15. Ex-octroi checkpost, the price ruled at Rs 1405-1425 and at Rs 1380-1390 respectively.

In tenders, Mumbai demand came to a virtual halt while the buying inquiries from Gujarat also noticeably ebbed in view of higher allottment, stated trade sources. M-30 were indicated at Rs 1350-1375 and S-30 at Rs 1325-1340 in Kolhapur line.

Grains unchanged
A quietly steady condition was in evidence on the grains market as the transport strike caused considerable shrinkage in the volume of business.Wheat milling deshi ruled at Rs 750-760, imported red at Rs 670 and white at Rs 711-715 a quintal. Rice Perimal new were traded at Rs 950-1150 and superior at Rs 1200-1350.

Among pulses, tur Myanmar found sellers at Rs 1275-1300, Malawi at Rs 1500-1550 and Kenya/Tanzania at Rs 1600-1650. Urad Myanmar ruled at Rs 1900-1925. Gram Australian were placed at Rs 1325 and Tanzanian at Rs 1250-1275. Kabuli gram A-2 Mexico were traded at Rs 4600, Canada at Rs 3900-4000, USA at Rs 3600-3700 anad Turkey at Rs 3400-3500.

Cotton steady
A steady condition was in evidence on the cotton market.

Arrivals in Punjab zone were lower at 2500 bales of Bengal Deshi and 10,000 bales of J-34. Bengal Deshi roller-ginned were placed at Rs 1030-1080, J-34 saw-ginned good average at Rs 1355-1510, cart selected at Rs 1330-1570 and roller-ginned good average at Rs 1330-1350 a maund spot.V-797 old were placed at Rs 11,800-12,200 and new March/April at Rs 11,600-11,700 a candy. Sanker ruled in the range of Rs 16,000-18,300.

Yarn listless
Listless condition prevailed on the yarn market. Prices ruled quietly steady.Polyester texturised yarn grey first quality of medium-sized units 80dn roto ruled at Rs 96, micro roto at Rs 104-105, weft at Rs 92-93 and warp at Rs 100-102 a kg. 80/1000dn and 80/1400dn were placed at Rs 145-150 and at Rs 152-156 respectively.In the case of 150dn, weft ruled at Rs 81-82, warp at Rs 89-90, single roto at Rs 85-86 and double roto at Rs 86-87.

Delhi
Cardamom brown, at the local market moved up from Rs 240-280 to Rs 248-295 a kg as supply line was hit hard due to adverse weather conditions. Stockists demand was also reported good.