February 1, 1915] 



THE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



303 



Crude Rubber During 1914. 



THE year 1914 opened with a normal market for crude rubber, 

 both as to prices and receipts ami under the ordinary 

 fluctuations, prices had receded by the end of June to 

 67 cents for Upriver line and 57 cents for First latex crepe. 



At the opening of the war, during the early days of August, 

 a most remarkable rise in crude rubber quotations took place, 

 tin- price of Upriver line jumping in a few days to $1.25, while 

 First latex crepe had followed it to $1.23 per pound. 



I liese figures ruled for but little over a week and although 

 the demand on the part of manufacturers was active sales were 

 comparatively small and were reported at $1.10 to $1.20. Imports 

 of all kinds during the month amounted to 3,224 tons. 



By the middle of August the receipt of several large consign- 

 ments and the expectation of further arrivals broke the market. 

 Upriver line quickly dropped to 90, First latex crepe reached the 

 same figure and from this time a steady decline set in for both 

 Upriver fine and First latex. 



These extreme variations in price took place without any panic 

 or extraordinary disturbance in the market. Realizing the in- 

 evitable result of the interruption of shipments, due to the hostile 

 disturbance of oversea commerce, the embargo, etc., manufac- 

 turers prudently withdrew from the market toward the close 

 of October, working up their stocks and refraining, as far as 

 possible from buying in the hope that efforts being made would 

 result in the early removal of the embargo. 



The chart printed herewith and accompanying tables will make 

 the movement of crude rubber in 1914 as compared with the 

 preceding year perfectly clear. The heavy line indicates the 

 fluctuations in Upriver tine in 1914, the heavy dotted line the 

 variations of First latex crepe for 

 the same period; the lighter lines 

 show the movement on the same 

 grades for 1913. 



Early in November Upriver fine 

 sold for 66 cents and First latex 

 crepe at 64 cents. During the month 

 prices advanced steadily, until the 

 first week in December, when Up- 

 river tine stood at 70 cents and First 

 crepe was strong at 75 cents. The 

 market was decidedly feverish at 

 first but later in the month it was 

 strengthened by prospects of early 

 shipments, and First latex advanced 

 to 88 cents, with Upriver strong at 

 74 cents. The manufacturers ac- 

 cepted the uncertain situation coolly 

 and drew on their reserve stocks. 

 Inquiries were plentiful but few ac- 

 tual sales were made. The month 

 closed with Upriver fine at 73 cents 

 and First latex at 85 cents, both on 

 a steady market marked by small 

 stocks and few buyers. 



The belief that the embargo 

 would soon be lifted dominated 

 both buyer and seller. All ship- 

 ments of plantation rubber from 

 London and Singapore have ceased. 

 Para sorts from Brazil were arriv- 

 ing, but had been sold in advance, 

 and therefore had no effect on the 

 market. 



In regard to the financial situation, Albert B. Beers (broker in. 

 crude rubber and commercial paper. No. 68 William street, 

 New York), advises as follows: "During January the 

 improved market conditions for commercial paper, noted foi 

 December, have continued, with further ease, the best rubber 

 names going at 4/J(V;5 per cent, and those not so well known 

 at 5] "<> per cent." 



Prices for December (New Rubber) 



1914. 



Upriver, fine $0.70@0.76 



Upriver, coarse I i 



Islands, fine 59w 7o 



[stands, coarse .31"' ,38 



Cameta 34<g .41 



1913. 

 $0.72(3.0.76 



1 1 @ .47 



.59@ .66 

 .27 @ 10 

 .35<g .37 



1912 



$1.06"' 1.1 J 

 .82(3 i 

 .96". 1.0 

 .54® .5$ 



.50 ■ 



Summary of New York Rubber Prices for 1914. 



January . . . 

 February . . 



March . . . . 



\|-.il 



May 



June 



July 



August . . . 

 September . 

 October . . . 

 November . 

 December 



Fin 



$0.73(50.77 



.75- .79 



.75". .76 



.74". ,7(. 



.70w .74 



.69ta .71 



.68<(i .75 

 .75..' 1.15 



64@ .78 



.64". .(,(, 



.63 w .71 



.70® .76 



-UfRIVER- 



I ":il se. 

 $0.44". 0.47 



I...... .47 



.43® .46 



.44(.i .47 



.42". 



.40". I 



.40". .42 



.43® .89 



.43 (.. .5 5 



.45". .47 



.46 (.. .53 

 .51". 



Fi 

 9@0.6 



.,1 ., i,«i 



.68® .70 



.69® .73 



.60C.i> .72 



.58® .62 



.57(5 .60 

 .60 " l on 



a ,'i 



»<§ ;3 



.50® .61 



i9@ ?0 



Islands ^ 



Coarse. 



$0.27 



.31® .32 



I] ... .33 



a .34 



9 I -.12 



.27(3) .29 



.27® .50 



.30® .60 



7 .. .55 



.26® .28 



.7", .52 



.31® .38 



Average Trices. 



1914 $0.7344 



1913 87!4 



1912 Ill, 



1911 IIS 1 i 



1910 2. op; 



1909 1.5944 



$0.47tf 



.58 



.89!^ 



.95 



1.3654 

 1.07 



$0.63*4 



.79 / 



1.05/j 



1.10J4 



1.8944 



1 I'", 



$0.31/, 

 .36*4 

 .59 

 .64 

 .90 

 .66'/; 



Cameta. 



$0.35®0.37 

 .35® .38 

 .35® .36 

 .35® .37 

 .33® .37 

 .31® .34 

 .30® .34 

 .32® .61 

 .29® .36 

 .29® .32 

 .29® .34 

 .34® .41 



$0.35 '4 



.42 

 .6344 

 .70'/, 

 1.00 



.77 



Compiled by Gould Commercial Co., Xcw York 

 1914 

 Upriver Fine 



Upriver Fine 



1913 



First Latex Crepe First Latex Crepe 



Chart Showing Fluctuations in Para and Plantation Rubber for Two Years- 

 Spot Prices. 



