Prices of gold biscuit (116.50 gm.) was dipped by Rs 350 at Rs 51,450 perpiece. In the cash deals, they were quoted still lower at Rs 50,900 perpiece, it was said. Demand was low at the falling market as news of freshsetback in the global market triggered renewed offerings by stockists andlocal bankers. In the global market gold slid from $279.55 to $277.25 perounce.

Meanwhile silver .999 fell by Rs 95 at Rs 7,900 per kg. Silver .916 was downby Rs 70 at Rs 7,770 per kg. Industrial demand for silver was sluggish assteady inflow of raw silver from local sources coupled with weak overseasadvices put pressure on the prices in the local market. In the internationalmarket the white metal slid from $5.09 and went below $5 level at $4.96 perounce.

G`nut oil unchanged
Groundnut oil maintained on the oil,oilseeds market here today. Castorseedand its oil remained unchanged in the ready delivery and prices shot up inthe forward market after early setback, according to dealers.

Groundnut oil was quiet at Rs 370 per 10 kg in absence of buying support. InRajkot it was placed lower at Rs 620/625 per 15 kg, it was learnt.

Imported palm oil closed at Rs 223/225 per 10 kg on tight overseas suppliesin the wake of rally in the global market. Palm oil prices in theinternational market hardened by $7.50 at $365 per tonne for nearby deliveryand at $370.50/370 per tonne for long delivery, it was gathered.

Castor oil was steady at Rs 404/416 per 10 kg on low overseas demand.Castorseed ready ruled static at Rs 1864/1870 per quintal.

In the futures section castorseed June delivery opened lower from Rs 1,961to Rs 1,946 and following brisk overseas covering pushed up prices to Rs1,965 and finally settled down at Rs 1,964 per quintal, floor sources said.Maturing March delivery remained untraded.

In the international castor oil futures market April delivery closed steadyat Rs 417 per 10 kg. In Ahmedabad castorseed June delivery slid from Rs1,839 to Rs 1,837.50 and March delivery changed hands at Rs 1,786 perquintal, it was learnt. Fresh supplies of castorseed in Gujarat remainedrestricted due to closure of major market yards for approaching end of theFinancial Year.

Sugar slightly better
A steady-to-slightly better trend prevailed on the sugar market followingrestricted arrivals. Demand was modest.

M-30 at Rs 1522-1590 a quintal held steady while S-30 improved by Rs 5 at Rs1485-1525 ex-godown. Ex-octroi checkpost, M-30 were on offer at Rs 1500-1530and S-30 at Rs 1460-1485.

Tenders were to resume from tomorrow.

Grains quiet
A steady condition was noticed on the grains market.

Wheat milling were placed at Rs 775 a quintal. Maharashtra SRT and Lokvanwere traded at Rs 825-950 and at Rs 800-950 respectively. Pakistan rice werequoted at Rs 875-900.

Among pulses, green peas USA Rumba/Heart ruled at Rs 1300 and Canadian at Rs900. White peas Canadian were on offer at Rs 871-881. Rajma chitra deshi andChinese continued to be traded at Rs 2000 and at Rs 1725 respectively. Redrajma Myanmar were on offer at Rs 1550-1600. Kabuli gram A-2 Mexico at Rs4500-4600, USA/Canada at Rs 3500-3600, B-2 Australian at Rs 3200, Turkish atRs 2800-2900 and Iranian at Rs 3000-3100 were static. C-2 medium were placedat Rs 2200-2300 and superior at Rs 2500-2600. Natural kabuli found sellersat Rs 2700-2800.

Cotton firm
A steady-to-firm condition prevailed on the cotton market. Punjab zonecotton prices looked up by Rs 10 to 15 a maund on emergence of buyingsupport in the face of limited arrivals. Bengal Deshi ruled at Rs 1065-1115spot. J-34 saw-ginned good average were traded at Rs 1635-1750 and cartselected at Rs 1655-1800. Roller-ginned good average ruled at Rs1555-1580.

Arrivals were comprised of 500 bales of Bengal Deshi and 2500 bales of J-34.V-797 ruled at Rs 12,800-13,000 and Sanker in the range of Rs 16,500-19,800a candy. In futures, maturing April contract looked up by 21 points whileJune and September ruled almost setady.

New York prices fell sharply. May at 57.95 and July at 59.47 lost 1.20 and1.21 cents respectively. October was down by 0.60 at 59.90 and December by0.70 at 60.60 cents.

Yarn stable
A steady condition continued on the yarn market. Viscose filament yarnbright cones first quality Century Rayon 150dn at Rs 193, 120dn at Rs 205,100dn at Rs 213 and 75dn at Rs 253 as also 120dn dull cones at Rs 209 a kgwere unchanged.