Thai rice futures were mixed on Monday as investors shifted to the smaller rice contracts on their first day of trade, brokers said. Overall volume rose as 40 of the bigger contracts for 15 tonnes of 5 percent white rice were traded, up from 12 on Friday.
The September contract settled steady at 10.90 baht per kg, with 18 traded. No September contract was traded last on Friday and open interest for the contract dropped by 15 to 143.
The October contract dropped to 10.80 baht per kg from 10.90 baht with 18 were traded, while the December contract rose to 10.88 baht from 10.84 baht.
"Prices of the big size contracts were mixed as players rushed to offset contracts to invest in the mini-sized contracts," said one broker.
"It was a good start for the mini-size contracts as it seemed like people were turning to them from the bigger contract," said another.
The smaller, 5-tonne contracts ended steady with 32 contracts changing hands, brokers said.
The Agricultural Exchange of Thailand (AFET) launched the smaller contracts with lower required initial margins in a bid to lure small investor's to help boost volume.
On the physical front, Thai 5 percent white rice was steady at 11.00-11.10 baht per kg.

Copyright Reuters, 2005

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