Raw sugar futures finished marginally easier Tuesday as the market consolidated after surging to a one-month high, and the sweetener may stay in a band ahead of the year-end holidays, brokers said. The New York Board of Trade's key March raw sugar contract slipped 0.03 cent to end at 8.85 cents a lb, in the middle of its 8.81 to 8.90 cents band. It was an inside day because the range was within Monday's 8.57 to 8.95 cents trading band.
Monday's close of 8.88 cents is the best finish for sugar on a spot basis since settling at 8.97 cents on November 24. May sugar eased 0.01 to 9.07 cents. Except for one contract, the rest declined 0.01 to 0.03 cent.