COMMODITIES

The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) 30-share prime index, the Sensex, on Monday, weathered early losses of nearly 4 percent to end down 0.32 percent or 51.80 points at 15,923.72.

Robusta coffee continued gaining on Tuesday after roasters took advantage of a decline last week.

Cotton posted high gains on Tuesday amid speculations that dollar decline was increasing demand for futures traded in New York.

U.S. crude oil declined from a new record above $109 on Tuesday after the Federal Reserve announced measures to inject liquidity into the financial system.

The FTSE 100 share index dropped 1.2 per cent on Monday following poor performances by banks, miners and housebuilders.

Corn increased on Monday boosted by a an increase of crude oil which revived speculation that demand for crop-based fuel such as ethanol will increase.

U.S. copper futures closed down at a two week low on Monday as investors worry about an economic recession in the United States and less demand from China.

Gold futures finished with a modest loss on Monday, extending their decline from last week, as investors sold precious metals to cover losses in equity markets. Silver also fell.

Crude oil futures in New York rose to a new record on Monday as traders invested in the commodity as a hedge against a falling dollar.

Copper prices closed with gains on Friday despite of an earlier decline triggered by fears of an economic recession in the U.S.

Gold futures ended a volatile trading session with a modest loss Friday after the government reported the biggest drop in nonfarm payrolls in five years, signaling the U.S. economy might already be in a recession.

Soybeans declined on Friday, posting the highest loss since July 2005, after China canceled some contracts for buying soybean oil.

Cotton posted the second straight decline on Friday on concerns that U.S. recession may reduce demand, and on signs that textile mills are reducing purchases.

Soybeans declined on Thursday amid speculations that harvests for March and April in Brazil and Argentine may reduce demand for U.S. exports.

Copper futures fell from a record high on Thursday as investors locked in profits and a report of rising U.S. mortgage foreclosures raised concerns of weakinging demand.

Crude oil futures prices dropped as traders sold contracts to gain profits from a record high near $106. Other investors bought oil to compensate for a falling dollar.

Gold futures made a steep tumble on Thursday after hitting a record high over $995 an ounce in the previous session, as traders cashed in gains.

Gold futures closed with strong gains, after briefly soaring to a new record just below $1,000 an ounce after the dollar tumbled lower and crude oil continued to rally, boosting the metal's appeal as hedge against inflation.

Cocoa, sugar and coffee gained in London after the dollar dropped against the euro, increasing demand from investors for commodities as an alternative investment.

Corn increased on Wednesday amid speculations that investors will boost holdings of commodities to overcome inflation following the gain of crude oil and other commodities.

U.S. copper rallied more than 4 percent today as the dollar extended its decline against the euro on worries about the health of the economy in the United States.

U.S. crude prices rose to a record above $104 today after OPEC held oil production steady at a meeting in Vienna and U.S. fuel inventories declined for the first time in eight weeks.

Gold futures rose sharply Wednesday, gaining from its steep decline in the previous session, as the dollar traded near an all-time low against its major counterparts and crude oil prices continued to fuel inflation jitters.

China's coal-to-oil experiments are developing smoothly, according to officials.

Cocoa declined on Tuesday after rallying for six days on speculations that there will be a supply shortfall.

Soybeans and soybean oil dropped on Tuesday amid speculations that China will increase sales of vegetable oil from inventories to slow food inflation.

Oil prices fell above $3 on Tuesday as the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries will keep crude output unchanged at its meeting tomorrow.

Gold futures dropped sharply Tuesday, as traders cashed in recent gains after the metal's surge to a record high in the previous session, while platinum surged close to $2,300 an ounce.

The FTSE 100 share index dropped 1.1 per cent on Monday after poor performances by banks and oil companies and worries of a possible U.S. recession. Overall the FTSE 100 dropped 65.7 points down to 5,818.6.