The new benchmark February 2005 contract on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange settled at 135.6 yen per kg, up just 0.1 yen from the session low, which was the lowest level on a continuation basis since July 27.
It ended way below the price of 137.9 yen. Other months fell by 2.2 to 3.2 yen. "The market's been range-bound at around 137 yen to just above 139 yen, but when it failed to push higher, sentiment just softened," an analyst said.