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June 07, 2010: Oil Minister Murli Deora said on Monday the government should raise state-set fuel prices as retailing firms were suffering losses.

July 2, 2009: Steel prices could go up 2 to 5 percent in July, with large steel producers such as SAIL, Ispat and Jindal Steel contemplating price hikes.

June 29, 2009: Cement prices are expected to soften Rs 3 to 5 per 50-kg bag next month due to the twin effects of excess supply and lower demand, according to industry officials and dealers.

June 28, 2009: All the 10 steel units of the Kalinganagar Industrial Complex in Orissa's Jajpur district are on the verge of closure.

By Rajkumar Mitra

June 26, 2009: Cement companies are importing clinker from all over the world at the same import price, in an example of high level of awareness of purchasers.

June 26, 2009: Purchasers are always on the look out to buy at prices lower than their previous purchases, provided market conditions are conducive for doing so. Obviously, this does not apply fully for project procurement which is generally a one-time buy, but would definitely apply for all commodity type items which he buys regularly.

June 25, 2009: Commodity prices are expected to be stable and are expected to ease in near future.

June 16, 2009: International demand of ferrous scrap, led by Turkey and China, has driven price recovery in the global markets. In fact, the surge in Chinese import demand buoyed and export resurgence has helped EU prices to recover. Squeeze on supply has aided recovery, even while local demand continued to sag.

June 16, 2009: The mood was mixed in the international long products market in the month of May. Whereas prices moved up in some major markets, in countries like Turkey, prices moved down due to lack in demand. Though prices moved up in the US, markets were weak in Europe. However, the mood was upbeat in China where there were ample positive signals.

June 16, 2009: Steel markets across the country remained more or less stable towards the beginning of the month of May. Ingot prices, melting scrap and sponge iron also depicted a stable trend at various places of the country. Demand in the market did not see any major change over a week and remained by and large stable.

By Arusha Das

June 15, 2009: Just like its global peers, the Indian steel industry has faced one of the most difficult times in 2008. The obvious reason of this downhill movement has been the global meltdown cutting across all the sectors.

By Gilbert Lobo

June 15, 2009: Manganese alloy producers are seeing better days as price of ferro manganese is now over Rs 42,000 to Rs 43,000 per ton, and silico manganese has also edged up to Rs 37,000 to 38,000 per ton ex works free of taxes.

By Gilbert Lobo

June 15, 2009: High carbon ferro chrome producers are seeing better days with domestic prices moving up to Rs 44,000 to Rs 45,000 per ton ex works, without taxes.

June 12, 2009: Rising commodity prices typically lead to a fall in demand from the user industry. Not so in the case of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which has risen to Rs 36,500 per ton, from Rs 28,000 at the end of the last year.

June 12, 2009: Iron ore prices surged 10 percent, touching a four-month high in June on rising demand from China, even as the final decision on long term contract prices remained unresolved between Australian suppliers and Chinese buyers.

June 11, 2009: Steel prices should not increase in India as raw material prices have fallen.

June 10, 2009: Steel companies can finally breathe easy. At least three companies -- JSW Steel, Ispat Industries and Essar Steel -- are likely to enter into long-term raw material purchasing contracts soon and the savings on input costs could be as much as 40 to 50 percent in this financial year.

June 7, 2009: Domestic steel giants like JSW Steel and Jindal Steel & Power (JSPL) are considering increasing prices of their products following the firming global cues and the improvement in domestic demand.

June 5, 2009: India's largest steel maker Steel Authority of India (SAIL) has stopped giving discounts on flat steel products to take advantage of better demand in a move that would make these products marginally more expensive for buyers, said a person with direct knowledge of the development.

June 3, 2009: Steel, cement and power companies are rushing to buy South African coal -- hitherto a premium commodity -- attracted by a sharp fall in prices.

May 27, 2009: National Aluminium Company Ltd (Nalco) has cut prices of its products by up to Rs 5,000 a ton.

May 26, 2009: Rio Tinto has agreed to reduce 2009-10 benchmark prices for iron ore with Nippon Steel by 37 percent.

May 26, 2009: Vedanta Resources group firm Hindustan Zinc said it has cut the prices of zinc, used for producing galvanised steel, by Rs 1,100 to Rs 89,200 per ton.

May 26, 2009: Coal India (CIL) may need to hike coal prices by at least 13 percent if it has to take up all its proposed expansion projects and retain its earlier profit trends in 2009-10.

May 20, 2009: The Baltic Dry Index - global benchmark for freight rates of dry bulk carriers - reached a seven-month high of 2,605 on May 18.

May 18, 2009: Oversupply in cement in 2009-10 could depress prices and squeeze margins by 2 to 5 percent, estimate research analysts.

May 16, 2009: Oil prices were up in Asian trade after US stocks rebounded from a heavy sell-off as investors looked ahead for an economic recovery.

May 16, 2009: Domestic producers of hot rolled (HR) steel, the intermediate that is used by automobile and consumer durables manufacturers, have emphatically ruled out the possibility of dropping prices ahead of the imposition of a safeguard duty on imports.

May 14, 2009: ArcelorMittal feels the flat product market in Asian countries is likely to get stronger. Keeping this in mind the company plans to increase prices for export shipments there.

May 14, 2009: Steel Authority of India Ltd will not raise prices of hot rolled coil (HRC) even if the government imposes a safeguard duty.

May 14, 2009: At a time the US and European governments are busy trying to close their markets to foreign steel and imposing anti-dumping duties on steel products from India, there has been a sharp surge in steel imports.

May 13, 2009: Indian steel makers have increased prices of galvanised steel by up to 5 percent due to sharp escalation in price of zinc, a key input, in the spot market.

May 12, 2009: The prospect of a mid-month price increase in cold rolled (CR) and galvanised steel used by automobile and consumer durables makers has abated.

May 7, 2009: Steel makers such as Tata Steel and Rashtriya Ispat Nigam (RINL) have increased prices of long products sold in the spot market by up to Rs 1,000 per ton this month.

May 7, 2009: Cement prices could fall up to 10 percent in the coming months, pushed lower by new supply and slower construction activity during the monsoon season.

April 20, 2009: A spot deal of 90,000 tons for delivery in fourth quarter of 2009 was realized on April 16, 2009 at Australian thermal coal market by loading at Newcastle (Phys NEWC) of globalCOAL at $70 per ton fob.

April 20, 2009: The weekly index price at DES ARA Index of globalCOAL recorded a slip in the week ended on April 17, 2009.

April 20, 2009: The Richards Bay Index price for thermal coal for delivery within July 2009 witnessed a small decline in the week ended on April 17, 2009.

April 20, 2009: Newcastle weekly index price in the week ended on April 17, 2009 for delivery within July 2009 dipped marginally by 0.18 percent over the last week's level.

April 19, 2009: Price of nickel, which is used in stainless steel, moved up by 16 percent this week against the previous week due to production cuts and investment buying.

April 17, 2009: The Rubber Board has asked market regulator Forward Markets Commission (FMC) to reverse the price fluctuation limit to 2 percent to curb volatility in rubber prices in the futures markets.

April 16, 2009: The Builders' Association of India has called for a total ban on exports of cement, as shortages in the local market were leading to frequent price hikes.

April 15, 2009: There is not much buying interest for plate in Southeast Asia.

April 15, 2009: With the troubled global economy driving down prices, metal companies are not expected to do well in the March 2009 quarter but they can take heart from the fact that sales volumes do not indicate any deterioration in fundamentals.

April 15, 2009: The tug of war between cement manufacturers and construction groups has reached a flash point, with construction players seeking fresh government interference in alleged cement cartelisation move and high cement prices.

April 14, 2009: With the auto industry showing signs of recovery, the demand for rubber by tyre companies has increased.

April 13, 2009: HR sheets (of 5 to 10 mm thickness) are currently available at Rs 29,500 per ton basic from SAIL on direct despatch.

April 13, 2009: Domestic market prices of angles and channels from 50 to 110 mm have risen Rs 2 to 3 per kg due to shortage conditions. This is sending both good and bad signals to the market.

April 13, 2009: The weekly index price at DES ARA Index of globalCOAL recorded a growth in the week ended April 10, 2009.

April 13, 2009: Newcastle weekly index price in the week ended on April 10, 2009 for delivery within July 2009 dipped by 4.09 percent over the last week's level.

April 11, 2009: Copper jumped in Shanghai for a second day on signs that supply in China in the near-term will remain tight and after gains in oil and equities boosted demand for commodities as an inflation hedge.

April 9, 2009: Domestic Indian companies are flooded with enquiries for high carbon ferro chrome from the Chinese market for the past 10 days.

April 9, 2009: Three spot deals were realised on April 7 at the physical thermal coal market of globalCOAL.

April 9, 2009: Two spot deals were realised on April 7 at the Australian thermal coal market by loading at Newcastle (Phys NEWC) of globalCOAL.

April 9, 2009: The addition of new production capacities are expected to stabilise cement prices in the middle of this year, according to ACC deputy chairman Paul Hugentobler.

April 8, 2009: Six ARA (DES) deals of ACPRS (Australian, Colombian, Polish, Russian and South African) coal were realized on April 6, 2009, at the physical thermal coal market of globalCOAL.

April 8, 2009: Three spot deals were realized on April 6, 2009 at the South African thermal coal market (physical RB) of globalCOAL.

April 8, 2009: Two spot deals of 35,000 tons each for delivery in June 2009 were realized on April 6, 2009 at the Australian thermal coal market by loading at Newcastle (Phys NEWC) of globalCOAL at $64.25 per ton fob.

April 8, 2009: Noble ferro alloy prices dipped substantially as manufacturers sought to sell off their inventory quickly.

April 8, 2009: There was weakness in the domestic and export markets for commercial plate in China in April due to a lack of demand.

April 8, 2009: Northern Italy has seen a spurt in long product prices in the past two weeks.

April 7, 2009: Prime producers are planning to maintain the steel price at the same level in the first half of 2009-10 if international prices and import duties do not undergo any major change.

April 7, 2009: Low demand for ferro alloys and a high rate of input materials is preventing ferro alloy manufacturers from selling their produce at breakeven prices.

Aapril 7, 2009: Two spot deals were realized on April 3, 2009 at the South African thermal coal market (Physical RB) of globalCOAL.

Aapril 7, 2009: Four physical ARA (DES) deals (delivered at Amsterdam/Rotterdam) of C (Colombian) coal were realized on April 3, 2009 at the physical thermal coal market of globalCOAL.

April 7, 2009: A spot deal of 180,000 tons for delivery in 2010 was realized on April 3, 2009 at the Australian thermal coal market to be loaded at Newcastle (Phys NEWC) of globalCOAL, at $77 per ton fob.

April 3, 2009: There has been an increase in scrap import prices of east Asia.

April 2, 2009: Buoyed by improved demand, cement makers have raised prices by Rs 3 to Rs 7 7 per 50-kg bag across the country from April 1.

March 31, 2009: China's ferro chrome import prices have fallen another cent per pound in the week beginning on March 23.

March 31, 2009: Spot trading in medium and higher grade iron ore between India and China has been slow over the past couple of weeks as prices too have kept low.

March 31, 2009: China may soon impose a 13 percent tax rebate on cold rolled and hot dip galvanised sheet and strip exports. However, this is not expected to make much of a difference to the already weak east Asian import markets.

March 27, 2009: Oil prices fell below $54 a barrel in Asia on March 27, retreating from a new high for the year, on concerns about the sustainability of recent gains.

March 27, 2009: Base metals on MCX were positive on March 26, taking cues from London Metal Exchange, where supportive US new homes sales and durable goods data for February triggered buying in the complex.

March 26, 2009: China has still no presence in the strips market while prices have been dropping for imports into southern Europe.

March 26, 2009: The billet imports market in Southeast Asia has seen offer prices rising from last week, even as the number of offers decrease.

March 26, 2009: Three spot deals of 90,000 tons each for delivery in the third quarter 2009 were realized on March 24, 2009, at the Australian thermal coal market by loading at Newcastle (Phys NEWC) of globalCOAL, all at $64 per ton fob.

March 26, 2009: A spot deal of 300,000 tons for delivery in 2010 was realized on March 24, 2009 at the South African thermal coal market (physical RB) of globalCOAL at $77 per ton fob.

March 26, 2009: Iron ore, the prime raw material for making steel, could see a further decline in prices. While steel demand has fallen heavily, iron ore prices - which more than doubled last year - remain vulnerable to a decline.

March 26, 2009: Japan's integrated mills and Australia's BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance has managed a compromise of sorts in its coal price settlements.

March 25, 2009: On March 23, 2009 at physical thermal coal market of globalCOAL, two ARA DES deals of ACPRS (Australian, Colombian, Polish, Russian and South African) coal were realized.

March 25, 2009: The South African thermal coal market (physical RB) of globalCOAL witnessed settlement of four spot deals on March 23, 2009.

March 25, 2009: Six spot deals were realized on March 23, 2009 at the Australian thermal coal market by loading at Newcastle (Phys NEWC) of globalCOAL.

March 24, 2009: Rebar exports from Turkey are now selling at a higher price due to better scrap realisations.

March 24, 2009: Six spot deals of 75,000 tons each were realized on March 20, 2009 at the South African thermal coal market (physical RB) of globalCOAL.

March 20, 2009: Cement prices in the south may come under pressure, with 12.3 million tons (mt) of additional capacity scheduled to go on stream by 2009-end.

March 20, 2009: Users of aluminium - such as the food packaging industry, which includes carbonated drinks, foil wrappings and bottle tops - are expected to benefit significantly from a further reduction in their input costs in 2009.

March 19, 2009: US scrap prices have maintained their downwards trend and April's prices are expected to be below the baseline used by electric furnace mills to establish raw material surcharges.

March 19, 2009: Prices for commercial plate have risen RMB 20 - 30 per ton in China in this week.

March 18, 2009: Essar Steel has denied having sold hot rolled coil at a discount, as traders had reported.

March 18, 2009: Chinese traders have recently bought Russian re-rolling hot rolled coil (HRC) at $385 to $400 per ton cfr.

March 17, 2009: Taiwan imported coking coal at $255.52 per ton cif in the month of January 2009.

March 17, 2009: Ocean freight rates from Indian ports to major European ports are set to rise by $300 to $500 per twenty equivalent unit (TEU) from April 1.

March 16, 2009: Steel scrap prices once again nosedived - after a slight revival - with demand weakening at various locations. The month ended on negative sentiment, indicating a further downtrend in the future.

March 16, 2009: The domestic steel market was again depressed in the third week of February after a slight improvement in prices till the second week. Sentiment remained low over a week as demand remained sluggish.

March 16, 2009: The flat products market remained stable at the beginning of the month. The price of IS2062 2.0 mm hot rolled coil (HRC) prevailed at around Rs 28,000 per ton basic and demand did not rebound or fall much.

March 16, 2009: The international long products market has been in doldrums this February. After showing some signs of strength in December 2008 and January 2009, the market fell pretty fast in February.

March 16, 2009: The global flat products market once again passed through a tough month this February, as prices of both cold rolled coil (CRC) and hot rolled coil (HRC) saw steep declines in price. According to indicative price index, price of HRC fell more sharply than CRC.

By Sarbani Haldar

March 16, 2009: Freight rates for moving dry cargo on various routes registered sharp fluctuations during February as demand for iron ore shipment varied.

March 16, 2009: Contrary to popular expectation, there was no revision in the freight rates for transporting cargo by the Railways in the recently announced Interim Railway Budget by the Railway minister Lalu Yadav. This has dealt a very hard blow to the Indian industries which had been reeling under the impact of slowing trade and were hoping for a rates revision.

March 15, 2009: Ilyich Iron & Steel Works has called for an open price calculation of iron ore and coking coal during the steel market slump.

March 15, 2009: Japanese mills are not considering a pricing deal between Posco and some Australian suppliers of low-volatile PCI coal as the benchmark for 2009.

March 14, 2009: Ship plate price shave been decreasing steadily since the middle of February and some offers have already fallen below production costs.

March 14, 2009: Shredded scrap in Brazil is selling at an average price 16 percent lower than recent months.

March 14, 2009: With days to go for a fresh round of negotiations for annual global price contracts, domestic mining majors like NMDC, Sesa Goa and a host of other iron ore miners are keeping an eagle eye on the situation.

March 13, 2009: Indian 2 mm commercial grade hot rolled coils (HRC) are selling at an average Rs 31,700 per ton ($611 per ton).

March 10, 2009: A spot deal of 50,000 tons for delivery in April 2009 was realized on March 5, 2009, at the South African thermal coal market (physical RB) of globalCOAL, at $57 per ton fob.

March 10, 2009: A physical deal of C (Colombian) coal for delivery in April 2009 was realized on March 5, 2009, at the physical thermal coal market of globalCOAL, ARA (DES) deal (delivered at Amsterdam/ Rotterdam) at $56.50 per ton.

March 10, 2009: A spot deal of 15,000 tons for delivery in May 2009 was realized on March 5, 2009 at the Australian thermal coal market by loading at Newcastle (Phys NEWC) of globalCOAL, at $61.50 per ton FOB.

March 9, 2009: Wuhan Iron & Steel (Wugang) has decided to cut its hot rolled coil (HRC) ex-works prices for April by RMB 50 to 200 per ton ($7-29 per ton).

March 9, 2009: Cement makers will shortly hike prices by Rs 5 per 50 kg bag in a couple of weeks across the country, according to dealers in Mumbai and Gujarat. The move comes on the back of improved demand as well as despatches.

March 6, 2009: The global slowdown has taken a toll on those who import coal and has, in the process, shifted the balance of power in favour of domestic buyers.

March 5, 2009: ONGC is looking at renegotiating prices for 12 offshore support vessels with global and domestic shipyards that had submitted price bids in response to tenders some months ago.

March 5, 2009: Shree Cements Ltd has raised prices of cement in the past month by Rs 2 to 4 per bag because of rising costs.

March 4, 2009: Improved demand has led cement makers to increase prices by Rs 5 to 8 per 50-kg bag in Mumbai and Gujarat from March 1. This has defeated the government's purpose behind cutting excise duty.

March 3, 2009: The price of Egyptian rebar has been lowered by producers by EGP 350 per ton, effective from 1 March, in the face of competition in times of the slowdown.

March 3, 2009: Iron ore export prices have decreased up to 12 percent due to a drop in demand from China, which consumes almost half of domestic ore shipments.

February 27, 2009: Ennore Coke Ltd, a domestic manufacturer of metallurgical coke, is negotiating with its global coking coal suppliers - like Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton - to secure an annual long-term contract at $140 to $150 per ton.

February 27, 2009: More and more ship-breaking activity at Alang may result in a decrease in steel prices.

February 26, 2009: Steelmakers plan to trim prices by about Rs 600 per ton, following the 2 percent cut in excise duties. However, that's unlikely to result in a spurt in orders from the real estate or automobile players, though players in the infrastructure space may be willing to buy more.

February 25, 2009: French container operator CMA CGM has decided on a general rate increase on all services, essentially on routes such as Asia-Europe, Asia-Mediterranean, India/Pakistan to Europe and Asia to South America.

February 25, 2009: Two spot deals were realized on February 23, 2009 at the South African thermal coal market (physical RB) of globalCOAL.

February 25, 2009: Cement prices are expected to lose Rs 4 to 5 per 50-kg bag from March 1 on the back of the excise duty cut announced by the government.

February 25, 2009: Steel prices are expected to dip Rs 500 to 600 per ton after the government reduced excise duty by 2 percent.

February 24, 2009: Bearish sentiments have kept buying activity at a minimum for hot rolled coil (HRC) into Southeast Asia, at a rate of $430 to $440 per ton cfr.

By Arnab Mallick

February 24, 2009: Zinc prices remained weak during January, declining more than 11 percent on the London Metal Exchange (LME). As forecast in the last issue of Sourcing Insights, zinc failed to maintain its northward rally from December.

By Sarbani Haldar

February 24, 2009: January proved to be an eventful month for thermal coal as prices continued to fluctuate after recovering from its low levels in December. Thermal coal prices remained low for the initial days of the month only to recover in the middle of the month after which it slid again.

By Arnab Mallick

February 24, 2009: The global steel market has been pretty eventful during the first month of the year which has emerged as one of the most crucial years in recent history. After witnessing a global meltdown, everyone and particularly the steel sector is keeping their fingers crossed and closely observing the market.

February 24, 2009: Russia is now exporting coils at $30 to $40 per ton less than what it offered 10 days ago.

February 23, 2009: Coal spot prices at DES ARA Index of globalCOAL slumped in the week ended on February 20, 2009.

February 23, 2009: The spot price of coal for delivery within May 2009 in Richards Bay Index witnessed a significant decline in the week ended on February 20, 2009.

February 23, 2009: Coal spot price in the week ended on February 20, 2009 in Newcastle Index for delivery within May 2009 dipped by around 4.9 percent over the last week's prices.

By Sarbani Haldar

February 23, 2009: The dry bulk shipping sector seems to have begun the New Year on a fresh note as it continued to display improving trends throughout January and even beyond.

By Nudrat Alim

February 23, 2009: The correction in prices which was noticed last month has slowly waned. In line with what was estimated in the January issue of Sourcing Insights, prices were reined in the latter half of January and the first week of February. Natural rubber prices in the domestic market have been falling but not indiscriminately.

By Arusha Das

February 23, 2009: The polymer market sustained its improvement in January as feedstock prices recovered, triggered by the limited supply in the market and depleting inventories. Moreover, rising crude oil and naptha prices supported the rise.

February 22, 2009: A lack of demand had led export prices of China's electrolytic manganese metal (EMM) to drop to around $2,550 per ton fob China.

February 22, 2009: The past few months have seen the prices of synthetic rubber falling on account of the drop in crude oil prices. The decline is common to all types of synthetic rubber.

February 21, 2009: The rally over the past few days has failed to keep capesize freight rates from dipping from last week.

February 21, 2009: China has no presence currently in the south European markets, though Australia, South America, some Mediterranean countries, Thailand and other Far Eastern countries have conveyed offers.

February 21, 2009: JSW Steel is seeking 66 percent lower rates for coking coal from global suppliers, at $100 per ton, in an effort to ease input cost pressures.

February 20, 2009: The Japanese market for commodity grade heavy plates is being affected by a lack of demand and increasing distributor inventories.

February 20, 2009: Offers for CIS-produced billet are maintaining their downward movement from levels of $380 to $390 per ton fob Black/Baltic Sea two weeks ago, when buyers were ready to pay $20 per ton less.

February 20, 2009: Oil prices fell in Asian trade on February 20 in a market plagued by weak demand despite a sharp price rebound the day before, analysts said.

February 19, 2009: The average domestic price of cement has decreased to Rs 234 per bag in January, from Rs 237 per bag in April last year.

February 18, 2009: A slow purchase scenario has led to a continuous fall in the price of billet in China.

February 17, 2009: Copper has moved in a range-bound manner in January, with alternate price spikes followed by profit booking that pulled down the price. It touched a month high of $3390.5 per ton during the month and the lowest price was 3050.5 per ton.

February 17, 2009: Increasing arbitrage opportunity from the US supported the caustic soda market in Asia and in the Mumbai chemical market the price of caustic soda lye for end January 2009, stood at Rs 32,500 per ton. This was an increase of 16.07 percent from the end December 2008 price of Rs 28,000 per ton.

February 17, 2009: The domestic crude oil basket rose to $43.99 a barrel in January 2009, from $40.61 a barrel in December 2008. This may indicate a U-turn from a scenario where it had bottomed out.

February 17, 2009: Benzene lost around 3.23 percent in January 2009 in the Mumbai chemical market and stood at Rs 30 plus VAT per litre in end January, a marginal drop from the end December 2008 price of Rs 31 plus VAT per litre.

February 17, 2009: Ammonia markets started showing signs of recovery from the second week of January from its unhealthy state with positive indications both on the demand and supply side.

February 17, 2009: The Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), India's largest importer of coking coal, on February 17 said it is still in talks with global mining companies to re-negotiate coking coal contract prices for 2008-09 (July-June).

February 17, 2009: Aluminium has lost quite a bit during January on the back of weak fundamentals, profit booking, sharply lower crude oil prices, a strengthening dollar and rising inventories.

February 17, 2009: Cement prices, which had fallen sharply in December due to higher production and low demand, remained largely stable in January despite higher production, as low prices pushed up demand.

February 16, 2009: Coal (including briquettes etc.) exports by Australia in the calendar year 2008 reached 261.05 million tons (mt), up by 4.1 percent from the previous calendar year.

February 16, 2009: Coal spot prices at DES ARA Index of globalCOAL recovered in the week ended on February 13, 2009.

February 16, 2009: The spot price of coal for delivery within May 2009 in Richards Bay Index continued to decline even in the week ended February 13, 2009.

February 16, 2009: Coal spot price in the week ended on February 13, 2009 in Newcastle Index for delivery within May 2009 moved up by around 2.7 percent over the last week's prices.

February 13, 2009: Base metals prices fell steadily on the London Metal Exchange (LME) on February 12 in the backdrop of the recession.

February 13, 2009: Steelmaking input prices maintained their upward trend on February 12.

February 11, 2009: Scrap and pig iron prices have been steadily dropping in the US.

February 11, 2009: European coil prices have been pegged lower than last week by The Steel Index though coil prices in the US have stabilised. Turkish domestic hot rolled coil (HRC) prices decreased since last week while Chinese HRC and cold rolled coils (CRC) export are better.

February 11, 2009: Five spot deals were realised on February 9, 2009 at the South African thermal coal market (physical RB) of globalCOAL.

February 11, 2009: Six spot deals were realized on February 9, 2009, at the Australian thermal coal market by loading at Newcastle (Phys NEWC) of globalCOAL.

February 11, 2009: European coil prices and the Turkish domestic hot rolled coil price saw a drop since the week ended February 6, 2009.

February 10, 2009: Mexican flats prices touched record lows late last month and in early February.

February 10, 2009: Northern European scrap prices are expected to drop in February on very weak local demand and few exports.

February 10, 2009: A physical deal (delivered at Amsterdam/Rotterdam) of 150,000 tons of ACPRS (Australian, Colombian, Polish, Russian and South African) coal was realised on February 6, 2009, at the physical thermal coal market of globalCOAL, ARA (DES) for delivery in the fourth quarter 2009 at $83.25.

February 10, 2009: The Turkish sections for the export markets are offered at $500-540 per ton fob, while the offers in the domestic market hovered around TL 800-820 per ton ($497-508 per ton) ex-works.

February 10, 2009: A spot deal of 75,000 tons for delivery in April 2009 was realized on February 6, 2009, at the South African thermal coal market (physical RB) of globalCOAL at $74 fob.

February 10, 2009: Three spot deals were realised on February 6, 2009 at the Australian thermal coal market by loading at Newcastle (Phys NEWC) of globalCOAL.

February 9, 2009: Three spot deals were realised on February 5 2009 for delivery in March 2009 at the Australian thermal coal market by loading at Newcastle (Phys NEWC) of globalCOAL.

February 9, 2009: Coal spot prices at DES ARA Index of globalCOAL saw a rise in the week ended February 6, 2009.

February 9, 2009: The spot price of coal for delivery within May 2009 in Richards Bay Index in the week ended February 6, 2009 moved down by 2.43 percent to $74.23 per ton against the prices in the previous week.

February 9, 2009: Coal spot price in the week ended on February 6, 2009 in Newcastle Index for delivery within May 2009 slipped down by around 6 percent over last week's prices.

February 6, 2009: Four spot deals were realised on February 4, 2009 at the Australian thermal coal market by loading at Newcastle (Phys NEWC) of globalCOAL.

February 6, 2009: A spot deal of 150,000 tons was realised on February 4, 2009 at the physical thermal coal market of globalCOAL, ARA (DES) deal (delivered at Amsterdam/Rotterdam) of ACPRS (Australian, Colombian, Polish, Russian and South African) at $80.

February 3, 2009: Two ARA (DES) deals (delivered at Amsterdam/Rotterdam) of ACPRS (Australian, Colombian, Polish, Russia and South African) coal of 150,000 tons each were realised on January 30, 2009 at the physical thermal coal market of globalCOAL, for delivery in the fourth quarter 2009 at $80 and $80.50.

February 3, 2009: A spot deal was realised on January 30, 2009 at the Australian thermal coal market by loading at Newcastle (Phys NEWC) of globalCOAL, with a tonnage of 60,000 tons for delivery in March 2009 at $78.50 FOB.

February 3, 2009: A spot deal of 75,000 tons was realised on January 30, 2009 at the South African thermal coal market (physical RB) of globalCOAL, for delivery in June 2009 at $72.10 per ton FOB.

February 3, 2009: Plate imports have been falling steadily in southern Europe along with prices.

February 2, 2009: Coal spot prices at DES ARA Index of globalCOAL slipped in the week ended on January 30, 2009.

February 2, 2009: The spot price of coal for delivery within April 2009 in Richards Bay Index in the week ended on January 30, 2009 inched up by 4.61 percent to $76.08 per ton against the prices in the previous week.

February 2, 2009: Coal spot prices in the week ended on January 30, 2009 in Newcastle Index for delivery within April 2009 slipped by 5.71 percent over last week's prices.

January 26, 2009: Oil prices eased in Asian trade on January 25, following a report that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will further lower its world economic growth forecast.

January 22, 2009: Ten spot deals were realised on January 20, 2009, at the Australian thermal coal market by loading at Newcastle (Phys NEWC) of globalCOAL.

January 20, 2009: Three spot deals of 15,000 tons each for delivery in March 2009 were realised on January 16, 2009 at the Australian thermal coal market by loading at Newcastle (Phys NEWC) of globalCOAL. Out of these, two were settled at $85 FOB while the other one at $86 FOB.

January 19, 2009: Coal spot prices at DES ARA Index of globalCOAL slipped in the week ended on January 16, 2009.

January 19, 2009: The spot price of coal for delivery within April 2009 in Richards Bay Index in the week ended on January 16, 2009 dipped significantly and reached $74.15 per ton, down by 11.8 percent as compared to the prices in the previous week.

January 19, 2009: Coal spot price in the week ended on January 16, 2009 in Newcastle Index for delivery within April 2009 remained at the last week's level.

January 14, 2009: Australian power-station coal prices - a benchmark for Australia - stayed over the $81 mark but physical demand from Asia remained weak as industrial users cut power usage amid production cutbacks.

January 12, 2009: Coal spot prices at DES ARA Index of globalCOAL witnessed a slight upward movement in the week ended January 9, 2009.

January 12, 2009: The spot price of coal for delivery within April 2009 in Richards Bay Index in the week ended on January 9, 2009 moved up and reached $84.13 per ton, up by 3.92 percent as compared to the prices in the previous week.

January 12, 2009: Coal spot price in Newcastle Index for delivery within April 2009 moved up by 2.84 percent in the week ended on January 9, 2009 against the prices of the previous week.

January 5, 2009: The increase in scrap prices has been followed with a hike in billet prices from Turkey, Ukraine and Russia.

December 29, 2008: Coal spot prices at DES ARA Index of globalCOAL witnessed an upward movement in the week ended on December 26, 2008.

December 29, 2008: The spot price of coal for delivery within March 2009 in Richards Bay Index in the week ended on December 26, 2008 continued to move up and reached $81 per ton, up by 0.83 percent as compared to the prices in the previous week.

December 29, 2008: Coal spot price in Newcastle Index for delivery within March 2009 moved up by 3.53 percent in the week ended on December 26, 2008 against the prices of the previous week.

December 28, 2008: Braving price rises from all sectors, the Union coal ministry has decided not to increase the price of coal in the coming fiscal.

December 27, 2008: Cement prices are expected to soften by about Rs 7 to Rs 12 per bag in the first week of January, due to a slowdown in the housing sector and cheap imports of cement from Pakistan.

December 27, 2008: Vedanta Resources group firm Hindustan Zinc Limited (HZL) said it has hiked the prices of zinc, used in producing galvanised steel, by Rs 1,800 to Rs 63,400 a ton.

December 18, 2008: Spot prices of US hot rolled coils (HRC) have stopped their slide and buyers think the price has almost reached the bottom.

by Nudrat Alim

December 17, 2008: Natural rubber prices are inching upwards after witnessing very hard times in the first week of December.

by Gargi Sahai

December 17, 2008: A massive fall of 25.77 percent marked the LME lead cash official prices for November.

by Rakesh Dubey

December 17, 2008: Cement prices across the country fell between Rs 5 and Rs 10 per 50 kg bag on falling demand and excess supply in October-November, and by another about Rs 5 to Rs 10 per bag in early December. However, any further fall is unlikely at least till January, industry and trade sources told Sourcing Insights.

by Gargi Sahai

December 17, 2008: Moving back to a weakening trend, due to the uncertainty in the market which lead to a weak demand, caustic soda flakes prices fell 7.96 percent in the Mumbai chemical market to stand at around Rs 26,000 per ton and caustic soda lye prices fell 6.9 percent to stand around Rs 27,000 per ton at the end of November, 2008. The end October 2008 prices were Rs 28,250 per ton for flakes and Rs 29,000 per ton for lye.

by Chandrika Bose

December 17, 2008: The ammonia market is witnessing tumultuous times, with prices falling drastically and benchmarks becoming non-existent as Yuhzny failed to report ammonia prices in the first week of December.

by Arnab Mallick

December 17, 2008: Unlike its peers, zinc was the only base metal which actually gained during the month of November.

by Arusha Das

December 17, 2008: Polymer prices finally recovered upwards, partly supported by rallying crude oil and naphtha prices and partially due to the limited supply in the market and depleting inventories. However, there was absolutely no sign of improvement in market demand.

by Arnab Mallick

December 17, 2008: Even after a massive fall of more than 40 percent in October, nickel continued its downslide in November.

by Arnab Mallick

Copper was badly hit during November. Cash prices at the London Metal Exchange (LME) lost more than 9.5 percent during the month from $3,960 per ton on November 3 to $3,581 per ton on November 28.

by Gargi Sahai

December 17, 2008: Benzene lost a huge 22.72 percent from the end of October price of Rs 66 plus VAT in the Mumbai chemical market and stood at Rs 51 plus VAT at the end of November, according to Chemical Weekly.

by Arnab Mallick

December 17, 2008: Just like all other members in the base metal complex, aluminium fell quite sharply this November.

by Rajkumar Mitra

December 17, 2008: The domestic crude oil basket has tumbled to $50.91 a barrel in November, from $69.12 a barrel in October.

December 15, 2008: Coal spot prices at DES ARA Index of globalCOAL witnessed a rise even in the week ended on December 12, 2008.

December 15, 2008: The spot price of coal for delivery within March 2009 in Richards Bay Index in the week ended on December 12, 2008 maintaining on to its declining trend slipped to $74.18 per ton, down by 1.35 percent as compared to the prices in the previous week.

December 15, 2008: Coal spot price in Newcastle Index for delivery within March 2009 has seen some improvement and moved up by 2.83 percent in the week ended on December 12, 2008 against the prices of the previous week.

December 10, 2008: Billet prices in the Tangshan area of northern China have again slipped since December 5, 2008, after a short upward revision which was primarily supported by rise in the prices of narrow strips.

December 10, 2008: The US plate reference price FOB Midwest mill witnessed a steep decline of $60 per short ton to $1,101 per short ton ($1,213 per ton).

December 8, 2008: The global meltdown continued to hit the scrap sector everywhere, with prices taking a record nosedive.

December 8, 2008: Chinese steel prices saw its biggest drop in six years in steel prices in October, as the meltdown in domestic steel demand has fanned fears of further market crisis.

Steel Insights Bureau

December 8, 2008: Nickel has taken a severe hammering along with most base metals recently. The metal has already lost more than 40 percent since October 1.

December 8, 2008: A spot deal was realized on December 4, 2008 at the South African thermal coal market (physical RB) of globalCOAL, with a tonnage of 300,000 tons for delivery in 2010 at $75.50 FOB.

December 8, 2008: Anshan Iron & Steel (Angang) of Northern China has raised its hot rolled coil ex-works prices for delivery in December by RMB 100 per ton ($15 per ton).

December 8, 2008: Coal spot prices at DES ARA Index of globalCOAL, unlike the other index, witnessed a rise.

December 8, 2008: The spot price of coal for delivery within March 2009 in Richards Bay Index in the week ended on December 5, 2008 further slipped to $75.20 per ton, down by 3.71 percent as compared to the prices in the previous week.

December 8, 2008: Aluminium using industries may gain from a further fall in input costs in 2009. Prices of the non-ferrous metal are likely to weaken further next year due to an increase in surplus internationally.

December 8, 2008: Steel majors JSW Steel and Ispat Industries will pass on the 4 per cent reduction in the ad valorem Central Value Added Tax (Cenvat) rate to the consumers, effective midnight.

December 8, 2008: Prices of steam coal over 5,500 kilocalories slipped to CNY 570 per ton at China's largest coal port, Qinhuangdao.

December 5, 2008: Chinese hot rolled steel prices are seeing a period of volatility and exports are merely trickling in.

December 5, 2008: NMDC has decided to lower its iron ore prices by 25 percent with effect from December 1.

December 3, 2008: Embarking the recent recovery of hot rolled coil prices in China, the domestic cold rolled coil prices witnessed a marginal upward movement since the beginning of this week.

December 3, 2008: The plate prices in both north and south Europe remained at same level form the week ended on November 28, 2008.

December 1, 2008: Coal spot prices at DES ARA Index of globalCOAL sustaining on to its declining trend further moved down by 17.81 percent in the week ended on November 28, 2008 compared to the prices in the previous week.

December 1, 2008: The spot price of coal for delivery within February 2009 in Richards Bay Index in the week ended on November 28, 2008 further slipped to $78.10 per ton down by 1.88 percent as compared to the prices in the previous week.

December 1, 2008: Coal spot price in Newcastle Index for delivery within February 2009 moved further down in the week ended on November 28, 2008 against the prices of the previous week. The decline this week was of 8.75 percent.

November 29, 2008: Baoshan Iron and Steel Co Ltd , will reduce some steel prices in January while holding others steady after reducing them in an unscheduled mid-month cut in December.

November 28, 2008: Coal prices at Qinhuangdao port had the steepest decline in the year in the week ended on November 21, 2008.

November 27, 2008: Rebar and wire rod prices can witness some recovery this month in southern Europe. Nevertheless, the prices are likely to rise at a slower pace as prices reached rock bottom at the month's beginning.

November 27, 2008: Spot prices for commodity plate sold ex-stockist has witnessed a steep fall since mid-October, said the northwest European market players. However, prices for the region's producers are sustaining well, they added.

November 27, 2008: Three spot deals were settled on November 25, 2008 at the Australian thermal coal market by loading at Newcastle (Phys NEWC) of globalCOAL of which two deals of 180,000 tons each were realized at $76.75 and $77.25 FOB for delivery in 2010.

by Arnab Mallick

November 26, 2008: Equity and commodity markets are crashing globally like never before. And the base metal complex has not been an exception to it.

by Sarbani Haldar

November 26, 2008: Thermal coal prices have seen a lot activity in October. Beginning the month on a high note, prices of thermal coal worldwide saw a steady decline in the following two weeks.

by Arusha Das

November 26, 2008: With absolute no signs of improvement, prices in the polymer market maintained the downturn in October too.

by Arnab Mallick

November 26, 2008: The entire financial market is witnessing one of the biggest and sharpest crashes in the recent past. Market capital in major equity markets depreciated more than half. A similar trend has been observed in certain base metals, including nickel.

by Nudrat Alim

November 26, 2008: In a span of less than two weeks the export duty on iron ore has been revised twice by the government.

by Sarbani Haldar

November 26, 2008: Freight rates for the movement of dry cargo across all destinations stayed weak, adding to the distress of the shipping community.

by Nudrat Alim

November 26, 2008: Low demand and the ongoing production season have kept natural rubber prices low. As on November 12, the price of RSS - 4 grade was recorded at Rs 84 per kg.

November 25, 2008: Power station coal prices from Australia slipped to an 11-month low below $86 a ton, pushed by recession concerns and a drop in industrial consumption.

by Nudrat Alim

November 24, 2008: The recent correction in ferrous scrap prices is unlikely to last long.

by Arnab Mallick

November 24, 2008: Copper witnessed one of its worst declines in this decade. In a single month, spot copper price at the London Metal Exchange (LME) depreciated by more than 37 percent from $6379 per ton on October 1 to $3995 per ton on October 31.

by Rajkumar Mitra

November 24, 2008: The domestic crude oil basket has tumbled to $69.12 a barrel in October, from $96.81 a barrel in September.

by Gargi Sahai

November 24, 2008: Declining demand led to a massive fall in benzene prices in major markets across the globe during the month.

by Arnab Mallick

November 24, 2008: There was a massive decline in prices of the entire base metal complex in October and aluminium was no exception.

November 24, 2008: Ammonia prices at the port of Yuzhny fell from $830 at the beginning of October to $240 in the first week of November.

by Gargi Kishore Sahai

November 24, 2008: Just like September, October 2008 also saw a very volatile lead market.

by Gargi Sahai

November 24, 2008: After the decline in September, caustic soda prices recovered slightly in October in the Mumbai chemicals market on the back of rising demand from the US and Latin America for Asian caustic soda.

November 24, 2008: Xishan Coal & Electricity Power, a subsidiary of Shanxi Coking Coal Group, is making a downward adjustment in its coking coal prices by RMB 500 per ton ($73 per ton), backdated to November 1, stated a company announcement.

November 24, 2008: The buyer prices of Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDP) on LME for December 2008 witnessed a fall when the buyer prices for December 2008 moved down by 2.56 percent on November 21, 2008 compared to the buyers prices in the previous day.

November 24, 2008: The December 2008 buyer price of polypropylene on LME further moved down by 2.09 percent on November 21, 2008 compared to the prices on November 20, 2008.

November 24, 2008: Coal spot prices at DES ARA Index of globalCOAL toppled down further by 9.37 percent in the week ended on November 21, 2008 compared to the prices in the previous week.

November 24, 2008: The spot price of coal for delivery within February 2009 in Richards Bay Index in the week ended on November 21, 2008 slipped to $79.60 per ton down by 15.76 percent as compared to the prices in the previous week.

November 24, 2008: Coal spot price in Newcastle Index for delivery within February 2009 in the week ended on November 21, 2008 against the prices of the previous week sustaining on to its decline highlighting a weakening market moved further down by 12.13 percent.

November 23, 2008: Pune-based Sajag Nagrik Manch (SNM) submitted a memorandum to Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar requesting his urgent intervention for securing coal to fuel state's thermal power plants that have been dealing with an acute shortage of the fossil fuel.

November 23, 2008: Reliance Power Ltd has said it hopes to commission the first phase of the 600 MW Rosa power project by September 2009, six months ahead of schedule.

By Arnab Mallick

November 21, 2008: The last few months have seen swinging fortunes in the global financial market. The major meltdown in equity and commodity markets has hit all sectors badly, paving the way for an economic slowdown amid the existing credit crunch. The impact of the crisis has been more visible in exchange traded commodities.

November 17, 2008: Coal spot prices at DES ARA Index of globalCOAL once again toppled down by 9.42 percent in the week ended on November 14, 2008 compared to the prices in the previous week.

November 17, 2008: The spot price of coal for delivery within February 2009 in Richards Bay Index has once again recorded a drop of 10.55 percent in the week ended on November 14, 2008 as compared to the prices in the previous week.

November 17, 2008: Coal spot price in Newcastle Index for delivery within February 2009 has again witnessed a decline.

November 13, 2008: As per an international news source, Turkish billet and rebar prices have increased by as much as $200 per ton over the past week.

November 13, 2008: Price of lower sections of angles and channels from re-rollers rose in the Kolkata market by 10 percent this week.

November 11, 2008: As per an agency report, Chinese domestic iron ore prices and transactions continue to be weak despite a slight improvement in domestic steel prices in the past two weeks.

Novemnber 11, 2008: Scrap prices have gone up in the past one week. This would result in a rise in steel prices as well, according to an agency report. There are signs of price increases in Italy and the rest of Europe for scrap and steel products.

November 11, 2008: Scrap prices have moved up owing to the fact that Turkish scrap importers are returning to the market. According to a news agency report, there have been instances of import transactions taking place from the EU and the CIS.

November 11, 2008:

East Asian slab import buying at standstill: Deals involving imported slab into the east Asian region have stopped. "There is no buying activity and hardly any offers," says a Korean trader.

November 11, 2008:

By Arusha Das: Spot prices of iron ore have dropped by 30 percent, and long-term prices are almost certain to go down. This will happen as the difference between the spot price and benchmark price will narrow down, according to the chairman of Essel Mining and Industry Ltd, Ravi Kastia.

November 11, 2008: The LME settlement price for polypropylene for November 2008 slipped by 37 percent to $850 per ton against the October 2008 settlement price which was at $1350 per ton.

November 11, 2008: Despite the global financial meltdown, NMDC Ltd has successfully negotiated a 102% hike in export prices of iron ore from Japanese and South Korean steel mills, as per a newspaper report.

November 10, 2008: TMT bar prices rose in the range of Rs 31 to Rs 33 per kg in the Mandi Govindgarh amid shortage and restart of constructional activities.

November 10, 2008: Coal based sponge iron prices revived to Rs 12,000 to Rs 13,000 per ton this week in the Raipur region.

November 10, 2008: Unable to find a suitable bottom, foundry grade pig iron manufacturers have kept their prices stable at Rs 26,500 per ton.

November 10, 2008: Coal spot prices at DES ARA Index of globalCOAL have finally witnessed some relief as the prices recorded a northward movement in the week ended on November 7, 2008 compared to the prices in the previous week.

November 10, 2008: The spot price of coal for delivery within February 2009 in Richards Bay Index maintaining on to its rising trend, moved up by 4.7 percent in the week ended on November 7, 2008 as compared to the prices in the previous week.

November 10, 2008: Coal spot price in Newcastle Index for delivery within February 2009 seems to have picked up a northward movement since last week.

November 8, 2008: Qatar Steel slashed prices for 10 to 40mm steel from QAR 2,400 per ton to QAR 2,460 per ton depending on the size.

November 8, 2008: Iron ore mining majors are reportedly expecting steelmakers to ask for significant price cuts - 20 to 40 percent less than 2008 levels - when supply contract negotiations open.

November 7, 2008: It is unlikely that the US scrap prices would bounce back in the near future, as per an agency report.

November 7, 2008: The East Asian scrap market has picked up slightly with offers of bulk 80:20 HMS1&2 scrap prevailing at $200-220/tonne cfr, as per data released by SBB.

November 6, 2008: Steel billet prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) have dropped to all time lows this week while poor demand has kept prices low.

November 4, 2008: Closure of several induction arc furnaces in Raipur and Raigarh belt have increased semi finished steel prices more than 20 percent in the current market.

November 4, 2008: At the end of September, the thermal coal prices in China showed diverse trends in producing areas compared to the main transferring centres and consuming areas.

November 4, 2008: Silico manganese price dropped by nearly 30 percent in one month due to the reduced consumption of domestic steel makers.

November 4, 2008: Manganese alloy prices dropped sharply after the recent peaking.

November 4, 2008: Coal based sponge iron is undergoing panic selling at prices below its cost price.

November 4, 2008: Chrome ore prices are slated to fall further.

November 3, 2008: Coal spot prices at DES ARA Index of globalCOAL continuing on to its declining trend recorded a drop of 3.28 percent in the week ended on October 31, 2008 and reached $98.40 per ton compared to the prices in the previous week.

November 3, 2008: The spot price of coal for delivery within January 2009 in Richards Bay Index has seen some relief in the week ended on October 31, 2008 as the prices increased by 5.45 percent compared to the prices in the previous week.

November 3, 2008: Coal spot price in Newcastle Index for delivery within January 2009 has finally seen some upward movement in the week ended on October 31, 2008 against the prices of the previous week.

October 27, 2008: Coal spot prices at DES ARA Index of globalCOAL with a massive drop of 15.72 percent in the week ended on October 24, 2008 reached $101.74 per ton compared to the prices in the previous week.

October 27, 2008: The spot price of coal for delivery within January 2009 in Richards Bay Index continuing on to its declining trend, further slipped by 12.44 percent in the week ended on October 24, 2008 compared to the prices in the previous week.

October 27, 2008: Coal spot price in Newcastle Index for delivery within January 2009 witnessed a further decline of 8.3 percent in the week ended on October 24, 2008 against the prices of the previous week.

October 24, 2008: Hindustan Zinc has declared a reduction in the prices of zinc and lead by Rs 2,800 and Rs 3,400 a ton, respectively.

by Rajarshi Ghosh

October 22, 2008: Zinc prices also followed the trend in other commodities and was not spared the brunt of the financial turmoil.

by Nudrat Alim

October 22, 2008: Having reached record levels of Rs 141 per kg in the second week of September, natural rubber prices have only been witnessing the downward trend since then.

by Arusha Das

October 22, 2008: In tandem with the sinking crude oil as well as naptha prices, polymer prices have plunged further down in September, maintaining its downward movement.

by Rajarshi Ghosh

October 22, 2008: The financial global crisis has not spared nickel prices and there is a dip in both production as well as prices in the month of September.

by Gargi Sahai

October 22, 2008: Lead prices saw a mixed trend in September 2008, there were highs and there were lows.

by Nudrat Alim

October 22, 2008: Prices of ferrous scrap have not shown much improvement globally, but experts from within the industry feel that the prices are likely to go up by the end of this year.

by Rajkumar Mitra

October 22, 2008: The domestic crude oil market has faced a setback and reached $96.81 a barrel in September against $113.05 a barrel in August.

by Arnab Mallick

October 22, 2008: The global economic and financial turmoil that the world is witnessing at the moment is perhaps one of the rarest events seen in the last few decades.

by Arnab Mallick

October 22, 2008: The global economic and financial turmoil that the world is witnessing at the moment is perhaps one of the rarest events seen in the last few decades.

by Arnab Mallick

October 22, 2008: The global economic and financial turmoil that the world is witnessing at the moment is perhaps one of the rarest events seen in the last few decades.

October 22, 2008: A slowdown in real estate sector notwithstanding, the industrial construction and infrastructure sectors continued to drive cement consumption in India.

by Gargi Sahai

October 22, 2008: Caustic soda prices have weakened in the month of September, 2008 in the Asian markets.

by Gargi Sahai

October 22, 2008: Benzene prices moved down further in September.

by Chandrika Bose

October 22, 2008: Ammonia prices in the port of Yuzhny have finally shown some respite in mid September, after having risen sharply since June this year.

by Arnab Mallick

October 22, 2008: The entire global market is in turmoil, which is not new as ups and downs have been happening for quite some time now.

October 21, 2008: Power station coal prices at Newcastle port witnessed a decline for a ninth week.

October 21, 2008: National Aluminium Company Limited (Nalco) has reduced the prices of aluminum by an average of Rs 5,000 a ton, informed a company source.

October 20, 2008: The buyers prices of Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDP) on LME for November 2008 finally witnessed a rise after a long period of constant decline.

October 20, 2008: The November 2008 buyer price of polypropylene on LME further moved down by 0.87 percent on October 17, 2008 compared to the prices on October 16, 2008.

October 20, 2008: Coal spot prices at DES ARA Index of globalCOAL has witnessed a massive drop of 14.53 percent in the week ended on October 17, 2008 compared to the prices in the week which ended on October 10, 2008.

October 20, 2008: The spot price of coal for delivery within January 2009 in Richards Bay Index slipped by 11.39 percent in the week ended on October 17, 2008 compared to the prices in the previous week.

October 20, 2008: Coal spot price in Newcastle Index for delivery within January 2009 continuing on to its decline, dipped by 6.43 percent in the week ended on October 17, 2008 against the prices of the previous week.

October 16, 2008: Gobindgarh Mandi saw spot steel zoom Rs 1,500 per ton in the past two days, with demand rising suddenly and global companies thinking of cutting production.

October 14, 2008: National Aluminium Co (Nalco) has slashed aluminum prices by Rs 4,500 per ton to Rs 1,28,400 ($93.50).

October 13, 2008: The November 2008 buyer price of polypropylene on LME moved down by 4 percent on October 10, 2008 compared to the prices on October 9, 2008.

October 13, 2008: The buyers prices of Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDP) on LME for November 2008 witnessed a fall of 4.47 percent on October 10, 2008 compared to the buyers prices in the previous day.

October 13, 2008: Coal spot prices at DES ARA Index of globalCOAL has witnessed a drop of 9.44 percent in the week ended on October 10, 2008 compared to the prices in the week which ended on October 3, 2008.

October 13, 2008: The spot price of coal for delivery within January 2009 in Richards Bay Index recorded a decline in the week ended on October 10, 2008 compared to the prices in the previous week. The prices slipped by 6.61 percent.

October 13, 2008: Coal spot price in Newcastle Index for delivery within January 2009 has seen a further decline of 7.65 percent in the week ended on October 10, 2008 against the prices of the previous week.

September 30, 2008: Zinc has slipped about 6 percent to $1,780 per ton in the past two months, opposed to the $4,100 per ton high touched in October 2007. This is probably why Hindustan Zinc (HZL) net sales declined 8 percent year-on-year to Rs 7,878 crore in 2007-08, despite a 22.4 percent y-o-y increase in production of saleable zinc.

September 26, 2008: Ferrous scrap prices have fallen further. As per media reports the last reported transaction price was $339 per ton cfr for HMS1&2 (80:20 mix) for material from the US East Coast to Turkey.

This price is $21 lower than the prices which prevailed till a week ago. Delivered prices into the Far East, mainly from the US, are reported at $390-410 per ton for 80:20.

Source: Steel Insights Bureau

September 25, 2008: Thermal coal prices are easing now after taking some painful blows. Lowering crude prices - at $95 to $100 per barrel in New York - is one of the factors in favor of that. Crude fell from recent highs of $146 per barrel.

by Arnab Mallick

September 25, 2008: The global coking coal market continues to remain tight. Large steel makers are exploring all means to secure coal supply.

September 22, 2008: The buyer prices of Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDP) on LME for October 2008 witnessed a rise of 3.12 percent on September 19, 2008 compared to the buyers prices in the previous day.

September 22, 2008: The October 2008 buyer price of polypropylene on LME moved up by 1.68 percent on September 19, 2008 compared to the prices on September 18, 2008.

September 22, 2008: With a decline little more than the fall in the previous week's prices, the coal spot prices at DES ARA Index of globalCOAL dropped by 5.26 percent in the week ended on September 19, 2008 compared to the prices in the previous week.

September 22, 2008: The spot price of coal for delivery within December 2008 in Richards Bay Index once again witnessed a decline in the week ended on September 19, 2008 compared to the prices in the previous week. The prices this time registered a fall of 9.60 percent.

September 22, 2008: Coal spot prices in Newcastle Index for delivery within December 2008 maintaining its declining trend recorded a considerable decline of 9.46 percent in the week ended on September 19, 2008 against the prices of the previous week.

September 19, 2008: Hindustan Zinc has announced a Rs 1,400 per ton increase in the price of zinc to Rs 90,300 a ton.

September 15, 2008: National Aluminium Co (Nalco) has reduced prices of basic metal for the second time in one month, as the price has slipped on the London Metal Exchange. Standard price per ton would now be Rs 1,32,000.

by Arnab Mallick

September 15, 2008: Zinc prices witnessed quite a bit of action this August.

September 15, 2008: August brought a sigh of relief from consumers after an exciting July, when power station coal prices at Australia's Newcastle, a benchmark for Asia, reached a record high.

by Nudrat Alim

September 15, 2008: Prices of natural rubber in the spot market stayed strong, slowing down trade activities to a great extent.

by Arusha Das

September 15, 2008: Pricing trends in polypropylene and polyethylene across Asia have witnessed a surprising downturn.

September 15, 2008: Cement prices in south India rose sharply in August as a result of good demand and a shortage of supplies.

by Gargi Sahai

September 15, 2008: The uptrend in the caustic soda prices continued this month. In the domestic market, in Mumbai, the flakes spot prices were around Rs 32,000 per ton against Rs 31,000 in July 2008.

by Rajkumar Mitra

September 15, 2008: Domestic crude oil was the harbinger of bad news in August as it slipped below the magic figure as a reaction to international movement.

by Arnab Mallick

September 15, 2008: Nickel moved in spurts this August. Much to everyone's surprise, prices jumped sharply on the back of a combination of technical and fundamental factors.

by Nudrat Alim

September 15, 2008: Iron ore exporters are no longer the happiest lot around. The export market has seen a lull for the past two months.

by Arnab Mallick

September 15, 2008: Copper took a rollercoaster ride in August. The heavyweight base metal pioneered the fall in the entire base metal complex last month.

by Arnab Mallick

September 15, 2008: The steel industry's struggle against rising raw material prices does not look to be coming to an end very soon.

September 15, 2008: The government is unlikely to consider a price control mechanism for steel.

by Gargi Sahai

September 15, 2008: The end of August saw the cfr import price of benzene move down to $1,195 per ton, around 7 percent lower than the end of July price of $1,285 per ton.

by Chandrika Bose

September 15, 2008: International ammonia prices continued to rise in August, though at a slower rate than that of July.

September 15, 2008: Gujarat NRE Coke expects coke prices to stay on a high in spite of lower demand from China.

by Arnab Mallick

September 15, 2008: Aluminium witnessed a sharper decline last month, maintaining July's downward slide.

September 15, 2008: The October 2008 buyer price of polypropylene on LME moved up by 1.35 percent on September 12, 2008 compared to the prices on September 11, 2008.

September 15, 2008: With a massive decline in the coal spot prices at DES ARA Index of globalCOAL which dropped by 3.76 percent in the week ended on September 12, 2008 compared to the prices in the previous week, reached $171.24 per ton mark on September 12, 2008. This coal was for delivery within December 2008.

September 15, 2008: The spot price of coal for delivery within December 2008 in Richards Bay Index sustaining on to its declining trend witnessed a drop of 3.88 percent in the week ended on September 12, 2008 compared to the prices in the previous week.

September 15, 2008: Coal spot prices in Newcastle Index for delivery within December 2008 recorded a significant decline of 6.92 percent in the week ended on September 12, 2008 against the prices of the previous week.

September 11, 2008: JSW Steel has announced a Rs 2,000 per ton cut in prices of its products, now that pressure has eased in international markets.

September 10, 2008: Slowing demand and burgeoning supply has led to a considerable drop in prices of iron ore in China. Industry experts are hopeful of a turnaround in October.

September 10, 2008: Saudi Arabia's increased production has helped crude oil price to slide to $104.77 per barrel currently from $ 147.27 per barrel prevailing on July 11.

September 9, 2008: Coal spot prices at DES ARA Index of globalCOAL has witnessed a drop of 3.76 percent in the week ended on September 5, 2008 compared to the prices in the week which ended on August 29, 2008.

September 9, 2008: The spot price of coal for delivery within December 2008 in Richards Bay Index recorded a decline in the week ended on September 5, 2008 compared to the prices in the previous week.

September 9, 2008: The long products index kept on strengthening, even as flat product prices dipped, according to data from steelprices-india.com.

September 9, 2008: Coal spot prices in Newcastle Index for delivery within December 2008 has once again moved up by 0.16 percent in the week ended on September 5, 2008 against the prices of the previous week.

September 5, 2008: Primary and secondary steelmakers - including Ispat, Essar, JSW and Uttam Galva - have lowered spot market prices by up to Rs 2,000 per ton with effect from September 1.

September 4, 2008: The benchmark November copper on the Multi Commodity Exchange of India is expected to open steady at Rs 323.5 to Rs 324 per kg, taking cues from international markets. It had closed at Rs 324.5 per kg in the previous session.

According to an analyst, prices may weaken later in the day due to rising stocks and global demand concerns. September zinc had closed at Rs 79.40 and lead for September delivery had ended at Rs 86.9 per kg.

Source: The Economic Times

September 2, 2008: Hindustan Copper aligned with global prices and brought down the basic selling prices of cathode full and cathode cut by over 1 percent or Rs 400 per ton, effective today.

September 1, 2008: Global cues may result in lower domestic steel prices.

September 1, 2008: The Steel Ministry will discuss pricing issues with domestic producers in the afternoon today.

September 1, 2008: The settlement price of linear low density polyethylene (LLDP) for September 2008 witnessed a fall of 7.91 percent compared to the settlement prices in the previous month.

September 1, 2008: The September 2008 seller price of polypropylene on LME slipped by 0.93 percent on August 29, 2008 compared to the prices on August 28, 2008.

September 1, 2008: The fall in nickel prices could be 25 percent lower this year if orders from European steel producers remain at the current level.

September 1, 2008: Cement manufacturers have had to slash prices by Rs 5 to Rs 10 per 50 kg bag in north India as demand has slipped and supplies piled up.

September 1, 2008: Coal spot prices at DES ARA Index of globalCOAL recorded a small appreciation of 0.38 percent in the week ended on August 29, 2008 compared to the prices in the week which ended on August 22, 2008.

September 1, 2008: The spot price of coal for delivery within November 2008 in Richards Bay Index recorded a rise in the week ended on August 29, 2008 compared to the prices in the previous week. The prices continued to moved northward by 0.74 percent.

September 1, 2008: Coal spot prices in Newcastle Index for delivery within November 2008 slipped by 0.16 percent in the week ended on August 29, 2008 against the prices of the previous week.

August 29, 2008: Hindustan Zinc has not changed zinc and lead prices from the previous week's level.

August 29, 2008: Tata Steel managing director B. Muthuraman did not rule out some drop in steel prices, though he feels they are likely to remain flat.

August 29, 2008: Ispat Industries chairman P.K. Mittal has predicted stable steel prices in the short-term as prices of products have fallen 5 percent to 10 percent recently.

by Arnab Mallick

August 27, 2008: The global thermal coal market has been full of action in July and August.

August 27, 2008: Prices of prime scrap in the US have gone down by $100 a long ton, and is now being sold at $770 per long ton, according to a Steel Business Briefing report. Prices of shredded scrap have fallen too by as much as $150 per long ton and is currently being sold at $450 per long ton.

However, as per the report, even though prices are declining for the US prime scrap, it is still in a better position than most obsolete grades.

Source: Steel Insights Bureau

August 26, 2008: The ex-works prices of pig iron in eastern China's Shandong province have dropped down to RMB 4,100-4,200 per ton from the earlier RMB 4,500-4,600 per ton prices which prevailed in July, as per a Steel Business Briefing report.

In anticipation that the prices will fall further the steel mills in the province have stopped buying pig iron. This, according to the report, is unlikley to hamper steel production since the companies continue to buy scrap to carry on production. Pig iron producers on the other hand have started supplying to oher provinces as demand from the local mills has gone down. They have made it clear that they would not cut down prices any further in order to fetch more orders.

Source: Steel Insights Bureau

August 26, 2008: Steel prices are slipping once more, having risen to Rs 40,000 per ton after a fall to Rs 35,000 to Rs 37,000. The past 10 days have seen a drop of over Rs 5,000 to about Rs 38,000 per ton at present. Steel angles have also slipped about Rs 5,000 to Rs 40,000 a ton.

August 25, 2008: Seven deals were realized in the South African thermal coal market on August 20 and August 21, 2008 with a total tonnage of 1,125,000 tons.

August 25, 2008: The spot price of coal for delivery within November 2008 in Richards Bay Index continued to rise in the week ended on August 22, 2008 compared to the prices in the previous week. The prices moved northward by 2.42 percent.

August 25, 2008: Coal spot prices at DES ARA Index of globalCOAL sustaining on to its rise moved northward by 4.81 percent in the week ended on August 22, 2008 compared to the prices in the week which ended on August 15, 2008.

August 25, 2008: The surge in steel prices has been troubling end user industries even as the steel industry has assured the government that it will hold prices.

August 25, 2008: The Australian thermal coal market on August 21, 2008 witnessed realisation of 15 physical deals of a total tonnage of 360,000 tons.

August 21, 2008: Ambuja Cements (ACL) will increase cement prices by Rs 20 per 50 kg bag in two phases; the first in October and the second in early January. Retail prices of cement are likely to go up to Rs 265 per bag after that.

August 19, 2008: Crude prices settled below $113 a barrel for the first time in over three months yesterday as Tropical Storm Fay steered clear of oil-producing infrastructure in the Gulf of Mexico.

August 19, 2008: With heavy rains slowing the pace of construction work in the northern region, steel prices in Punjab have dipped by Rs 700 per tonne in the past one week, giving relief to consumers.

by Gargi Sahai

August 19, 2008: Caustic soda prices have been on a rise on the domestic and international front in the past month.

by Arnab Mallick

August 18, 2008: The global coal market has been achieving record prices nearly every month. Maintaining the upward trend, thermal coal touched record highs during the last week of June and first week of July.

by Nudrat Alim

August 18, 2008: Soaring rubber prices in the domestic market are expected to improve the stock position, which had gone down dramatically last month.

by Arusha Das

August 18, 2008: Finally, the towering polymer market has come across some deceleration.

August 18, 2008: Imported ammonia prices continued to rise in July 2008 and rose sharply compared to last month.

by Arnab Mallick

August 18, 2008: Nickel witnessed a severe hammering this July on the back of weak demand in stainless steel, its primary using industry.

by Nudrat Alim

August 18, 2008: The domestic price of iron ore is once again rising, after experiencing a marginal slip last month.

by Arnab Mallick

August 18, 2008: Copper prices saw harsh hammering this July. Prices at the London Metal Exchange (LME) fell by over 5 percent during the month and ended at $8260.5 per ton on July 31 from the month beginning level of $8711 per ton on July 1, primarily on back of strengthening dollar value, weak demand and increasing inventories.

by Gargi Sahai

August 18, 2008: There were mixed trends in prices of benzene for July 2008. A tumble in global crude prices in the second half of July led to cooling down of prices.

by Arnab Mallick

August 18, 2008: Replicating others in the base metal complex, aluminium also had a tough time in July. Aluminium cash price at the London Metal Exchange (LME) fell sharply during the month after an initial price spike.

August 18, 2008: With LME prices weakening very fast National Aluminium Company Ltd (Nalco) is soon going to cut prices of the metal.

August 18, 2008: The spot price of coal for delivery within November 2008 in Richards Bay Index finally witnessed a rise in the week ended on August 15, 2008 compared to the prices in the previous week.

August 18, 2008: Coal spot prices at DES ARA Index of globalCOAL finally came across a rise of 1.88 percent in the week ended on August 15, 2008 compared to the prices in the week which ended on August 8, 2008.

August 18, 2008: Coal spot prices in Newcastle Index for delivery within November 2008 moved up by 4.95 percent in the week ended on August 15, 2008 against the prices of the previous week.

August 11, 2008: Two physical deals at South African thermal coal market were realised on August 7, 2008 at $154.75 FOB per ton and $155 FOB per ton with a tonnage of 75,000 tons each and to be delivered on October 2008 and January 2009 respectively.

August 11, 2008: A physical deal at Australian thermal coal market with 15,000 tonnage of thermal coal was realized on August 7, 2008 at $156.75 FOB per ton for delivery in October 2008.

August 11, 2008: Coal spot prices at DES ARA Index of globalCOAL still maintaining on to its weekly decline went down by 2.32 percent in the week ended on August 8, 2008 compared to the prices in the week which ended on August 1, 2008.

August 11, 2008: The spot price of coal for delivery within November 2008 in Richards Bay Index once again recorded a drop in the week ended on August 8, 2008 compared to the prices in the previous week.

August 11, 2008: Coal spot prices in Newcastle Index for delivery within November 2008 slipped by 2.64 percent in the week ended on August 8, 2008 against the prices of the previous week.

August 6, 2008: The coal coke imports by Japan during June 2008 were 135,242 tons at an average CIF import price of $549.33 per ton.

August 5, 2008: To keep up with the global rates, the National Aluminium Company (Nalco) has slashed prices for the second time in eight days on August 2.

August 5, 2008: The September 2008 seller price of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) on LME went down by 0.58 percent on August 1, 2008 as against the prices on July 31, 2008 and is steady on that.

August 5, 2008: The September 2008 seller price of polypropylene on LME slipped by 1.09 percent on August 1, 2008 compared to the prices on July 31, 2008 and is steady on that.

August 4, 2008: Coal spot prices at DES ARA Index of globalCOAL maintaining on to its weekly decline went down by 3.25 percent in the week ended on August 1, 2008 compared to the prices in the week which ended on July 25, 2008.

August 4, 2008: The spot price of coal for delivery within October 2008 in Richards Bay Index recorded a rise in the week ended on August 1, 2008 compared to the prices in the previous week.

August 4, 2008: The rise in inflation, interest rates and input costs has led Delhi-based Dalmia Cement Bharat to contemplate a steep price increase.

August 1, 2008: The Japan exported 121,850 tons of coal coke during June 2008 at the average rate of $317.50 per ton (FOB value).

July 31, 2008: At an average CIF import price of $127.84 per ton, Japan imported a total of 8,960,950 tons of thermal coal during June 2008.

July 31, 2008: Japan imported 8,046,698 tons of coking coal during June 2008 at the average CIF import price of $234.09 per ton.

July 31, 2008: The average CIF import price ($ per ton) of coal coke to Japan witnessed a rise of 103.9 percent in June 2008 compared to the prices in June last year.

July 30, 2008: The average coking coal sales prices for export pegged by China Coal Energy Company Limited was 1938 RMB per ton during the first half of the calendar year 2008.

July 30, 2008: The spot trading price of thermal coal for exports pegged by China Coal Energy Company Limited during the period of January to June 2008 stood at 615 RMB per tons.

July 30, 2008: The average price pegged for long term agreements of thermal coal for exports by China Coal Energy Company Ltd stood at 674 RMB per ton during the first half of calendar year 2008.

by Arnab Mallick

July 28, 2008: The coking coal market has not shown much deviation from its recent trend this month. All signals of market tightness were present and there was little room for consumers to rejoice.

by Arnab Mallick

July 28, 2008: The global coal market has been achieving record prices nearly every month. Maintaining the upward trend, thermal coal touched record highs during the last week of June and first week of July.

July 28, 2008: For the first time this month, the National Aluminium Company (Nalco) cut prices.

July 28, 2008: The August 2008 buyer price of polypropylene on LME, registered a drop of 1.63 percent on July 25, 2008 compared to the prices on July 24, 2008.

July 28, 2008: Nickel touched a two-year low on July 25 as concern on demand from stainless steel mills mounted. Copper is expected to come under pressure from fears of a global economic slowdown.

July 28, 2008: Coal spot prices at DES ARA Index of globalCOAL went down massively by 8.57 percent in the week ended on July 25, 2008 compared to the prices in the week which ended on July 18, 2008.

July 28, 2008: Coal spot prices in Newcastle Index for delivery within October 2008 slipped by 3.4 percent in the week ended on July 25, 2008 against the prices of the previous week. However the drop in the price is a little less than the decline in the previous week.

July 28, 2008: The spot price of coal for delivery within October 2008 in Richards Bay Index recorded a drop in the week ended on July 25, 2008 compared to the prices in the previous week.

July 25, 2008: Alang ship plate cutting prices were 1.5 percent down on July 24 at Rs 39,269 per ton, compared to Rs 38,674 per ton a day ago, noted data released by steelprices-india.

July 25, 2008: Led by the rise in crude oil prices and basic feedstock, benzene price is on a rise globally.

July 25, 2008: Nickel declined to a two-year low below $19,000 a ton on July 24 on back of weakening demand from stainless steel mills. However, copper eased on fears of growth.

July 25, 2008: Freight rates for the shipment of dry cargo strengthened in the present week.

24 July, 2008: NMDC is likely to demand an 80 percent increase in prices of iron ore fines and over 96 percent on lumps from Japan and South Korea at the next round of negotiations to review export agreements. This follows a steep rise in global benchmark prices under long-term contracts and even higher rates in the local market.

24 July, 2008: Steelmakers' self-imposed price moratorium seems to have failed in containing prices of the commodity. Domestic prices have shot up almost 15 percent to 20 percent in last couple of months, taking the average price of hot-rolled coils (HRCs) to over Rs 46,000 per ton.

July 24,2008 - Lower Chinese demand and weakening crude prices are likely to cool down the rising sulphur prices.

July 24, 2008: Nickel prices fell 0.54 percent in opening trade on the domestic futures market on July 23 on selling by traders on fears that steel makers might cut purchases.

July 23, 2008: Current consignments of ferro silicon with silicon content 70 percent are arriving at Indian ports at $1920 CIF defying the Chinese benchmark prices and export duty rates.

July 23, 2008: Prices of iron ore concentrates in north-east China appear firm.

July 23, 2008: Prices of containerised scrap in the South East Asian market has dipped.

July 23, 2008: With China cutting output to avoid emission of hazardous gases before the Olympics scheduled for next month, prices of metallurgical coke (met coke), an important ingredient for manufacture of steel and pig iron, have trebled in the last six months.

July 22, 2008: The prices of ferro-manganese with 78 percent of manganese and 7.5 percent of carbon content according to Metal Bulletin in US free market in warehouse Pittsburgh reached an intra-day high of $3200 per long ton on July 18.

July 21, 2008: Coal at DES ARA Index of globalCOAL on July 18th was traded at $213.58 per ton, down by 2 percent compared to the prices in the week which ended on July 11.

July 21, 2008: Coal spot prices in Newcastle Index for delivery within October 2008 slipped by 3.78 percent in the week ended on July 18, against the prices of the previous week.

July 21, 2008: Current offers for naptha received for early September shipments, were lower than that obtained for late August shipments.

January 21, 2008: mjunction conducted an iron ore auction on behalf of National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) last week. 30,000 ton of iron ore fines with 64 percent Fe content from Bailadila port were auctioned at Rs 4020 per ton.

December 6, 2007: According to sources from Essel Mining & Industries Limited, the CNF for iron ore fines with 63.5 Fe content ranged between $180-183 as on December 3, 2007.

December 6, 2007: According to sources, the prevalent rate for 5-18mm lumps in the domestic market for 62+ Fe is between Rs 2800-2850. For 63+ and 64+ the rates are Rs 3000-3050 and Rs 3200-3250, respectively.

November 30, 2007: According to sources the CNF rate for 63.5 grade iron ore fines is in the range of $180-$185, for iron ore going to China, via the Kolkata, Haldia, Paradip, Vizag and Belekeri ports.

November 30, 2007: Essel Mining & Industries Limited would be selling almost 10 percent of its total fines production, domestically. According to a source from the company, the target for this year's fines production is 5 million tons. The domestic price for 65+ grade of fines is Rs 2100 per ton. For lower grades the domestic price is Rs 1600 per ton.

November 29, 2007: According to sources iron ore FOB price for Fe grade 63.5 stood at $130 a ton as on 29.11.2007.

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