320 



THE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



[March 1, 1916. 



Review of the Crude Rubber Market. 



NKVV VOKK. 



IT was freely predicted early in the month that February would 

 very likely be a period of comparative quiet in trading and 

 that lower prices would rule. With the exception of values, 

 however, the above forecast has been fairly well supported by 

 the market conditions that have prevailed during the past month. 



On February 1, First latex and Sinoked sheet nearby, were 

 quoted at 76 cents, with very little difference in prices for future 

 deliveries of these sorts. Upriver fine was selling for 73 cents. 



The generally quiet tone that has dominated the market during 

 the month would justify the belief that the manufacturers had 

 already bought heavily during the recent period of high prices. 

 The small orders that had been placed this month by the large 

 consumers would indicate an interest only in immediate require- 

 ments. 



Forward deliveries were very uncertain due to the lack of 

 cargo space and shipments from the Far East were very slow — 

 90 days is not unusual when shipments are routed via Cape of 

 Good Hope. 



Values, however, have ranged upward, and strongly reflect the 

 firm market that has generally prevailed in London. Prices con- 

 tinued to advance steadily and on February 18, First latex, near- 

 by, was quoted at 91 cents. Smoked sheet, prompt shipment, was 

 89 cents and Upriver fine, nearby, was firm at 77 cents. Then 

 the market developed an easier tendency and prices declined due 

 to lack of local support and heavy arrivals from London. 



The last week of the month witnessed considerable activity in 

 Beaver street and prices again advanced. This condition is evi- 

 dently due to the scarcity of rubber in the primary markets and 

 the steady demand from the consuming interests. On February 

 29, First latex, spot was quoted at 93 to 94 cents and Upriver fine, 

 77 to 78 cents. 



The arrivals at the port of New York for the first 17 days of 

 February total 5,000 tons in round numbers. Plantation imports 

 head the list, with 2,200 tons from London and Liverpool and 

 1.200 tons from Colombo and Singapore, Other imports were, 

 23 tons Para rubber from London and Liverpool ; 84 tons Para 

 from Para and Manaos ; 110 tons. Centrals; 87 tons Plantation, 

 from Rotterdam; 540 tons, Africans; 1500 pounds Plantation from 

 Paramaribo, Dutch Guiana. 



There is every indication that the New York imports for 

 February, 1916, will fall short of 9,400 tons, the figures for Janu- 

 ary — the largest monthly receipts since March and April, 1915, 

 when 10,500 tons and 10,150 tons, respectively, were imported. 

 LOXDO.N". 



This market has been well supported at critical periods during 

 the past month and prices in all positions have recorded steady 

 advances. This firmness of the market is due in part to American 

 requirements and the recent heavy buying orders from Russian 

 sources. These movements have had a steadying effect on values 

 at this time when large stocks are accumulating and arrivals are 

 congesting the docks at Liverpool and London. 



.An unusual circumstance was noted during the past month in 

 that futures were at a premium over spot rubber. 



That suflScient rubber is being produced to meet the world's 

 requirements is not doubted. That rubber prices should be nor- 

 mal is theoretically true. But, the fundamental difficulty that 

 constantly threatens the rubber market is the question of shipping. 

 P.JlR.-\ .\XD man.\os. 



There has not been much demand for spot rubber in the 

 AmaEon markets for the past month. February is one of the 

 months when heavy rubber receipts are expected, which thus far 

 have been abundantly realized. Rubber has been steadily coming 

 in for the past three weeks and consequently prices are weak and 



easier. There is a difference of 15 cents per pound, according to 

 New York quotations, February 24, between First latex, Planta- 

 tion and Upriver fine in favor of the former. Another reason 

 why there is so little buying movement in Para sorts. 

 SIXG.\PORE. 



Competitive buying seems to have been the cause of recent price 

 advances in Singapore. It is reported that representatives of the 

 large rubber manufacturers, with open buying orders, were bid- 

 ding against each other with the effect of bulling the market. 



It is almost impossible to secure sufficient cargo space to ac- 

 commodate the demands of rubber shippers. There is an increas- 

 ing amount of rubber going to the United States by the way of 

 Kobe, Japan, and Hongkong, China. 



The following arc the freight rates from Singapore to Boston 

 and New York via the Suez or Panama Canal on rubber and 

 allied products : 



$36.45 per 50 cubic feet. 



link)...... 38.88 per 50 cwt. 



f in cases.), 41.31 per 50 cubic feet. 



48.60 per 12 cwt. 



■nuine (cases) 48.60 per SO cubic feet. 



51.03 per 50 cubic feet. 



bundles) .... 72.90 per 20 cwt. 



The through rate on rubber in cases from Port Swettenham 

 is $52.25 per 50 cubic feet. The rate on rubber in cases by steam- 

 ers calling at Port Swettenham is $48.60 per 50 cubic feet. [The 

 equivalent of a ton (2,240 pounds) is figured at 40 cubic feet, a 

 hundred weight (cwt.) 112 pounds.] 



New York Quotations. 



Following are the quotations at New York one year ago, one 

 month ago. and February 29, the current date: 



Para. March 1, '15. Feb. 1, '16. Feb. 29, '16. 



Upriver, fine, new 58>^@ 76 @ 77 @ 78 



60 @ 72 @ 



50 @ 69 @ 70 @ 71 



w..'!.'.'.' 45"®"46 54"@"" 59"@"66 



Upriver. coarse, old 



Islands, coarse, new 28 @ 35 @ 



Islands, coarse, old 



Upriver, fi 

 Islands, fi. 

 Islands, fin 



Cameta i>'A@ 33 



Caucho, ball, upper 46 @ 48 



Caucho, ball, lower 43 @ 44 



Plantation Hevea. 



37 @ 38 

 ■io' @ 41 



59 @ 

 56 @ 



61 



) [Spot 92@93 



. shpt.62/.@63} 78 @ |Apr.-June ?2@9354 



|i^?l^^l^.60K@6l} ^8 @ |l^?^^rnc 93@94H 



59 



89@ 



\ Apr. -June 



[July-Dec. 90@ 



78 @ Spot 91 @ 



55 @ 56 57 (g 59 



54 & 55 57 <s 59 



53 @ 54 56 @ 57 



60 @ 61 60 @ 



53 @ 54 53 @ 



35 @ 36 38 @ 40 



45 @ 46 50 @ 52H 



35 @ 38 42 @ 45 



62 @ 



72 @ 72 @ 73 



76 @ 77 74 @ 75 



71 @ 72 74 @ 75 



46 @ 



50 @ 



46 @ 48 



38 @ 40 



58 @ 



8H@ 8J^ 10 @ 10}4 



13 @ i3yi 15 @ lea 



27/.@ 



35 @ 3S'A 



.50 @ 2.00 1.50 @ 2.00 



