In the bullion market, the outcome of US presidential elections was keenly awaited as this is expected to drive the US dollar, the euro and the gold prices in the international market.

Both non-ferrous metals and chemicals and polymers market witnessed steady to marginal improvement.

Oilseeds, oils: Sentiments and prices of both oilseeds and vegoils were being propped higher since past few weeks for two main reasons : One, the impending hike in the import duty and the possiblility of lower oilseeds crop during this kharif season.

Both belied the expectations of the traders and sentiments turned bearish once again.

The finance minister said last week that the government is in no mood to hike the import duty from current levels, while the oilseeds seminar at Chennai concluded today without any hopes of the duty hike, before the end of this month.

Earlier traders expected that the government would raise the duty after festival season is over.

Groundnut oil lost Rs 20-plus per 10 kg while palmoil settled lower. This bearishness contributed to other related products as well.

BULLION: Gold too moved down today in Delhi on reduced offtake in the absence of any buying support and closed with moderate losses. Silver, hovered around previous levels on small trading bouts and settled unchanged.

Marketmen said trading activity was negligible in the absence of any market moving news. They said most of the funds were moving toward the bullish capital markets while gold remained closely attached to currency markets.

"Traders have deserted gold for currency and equity markets and off marriage-festival season further plunged the demand" bullion merchant Ravi Jalan said.