Raw sugar futures banked on steady trade and speculative buying to finish higher Thursday and analysts said the market could crawl higher on follow-through interest before the weekend. The New York Board of Trade's May raw sugar contract sprang up 0.15 cent to end at 8.70 cents a lb, dealing in a tight band from 8.65 to 8.72 cents. July gained the same to 8.90 cents. Back months rose 0.10 to 0.17 cents.
Most analysts feel prospects for sugar prices are bullish due to a supply deficit and expectations of consumer buying from leading importers like India, Russia and China.