US arabica coffee futures edged down in modest trading on Thursday as many market players held back in sympathy with a series of bomb attacks in London, traders said. The New York Board of Trade's most-active September arabica contract finished at $1.0715, down 0.25 cents, after trading from $1.0550 to $1.0750.
"We more or less consolidated around the $1.0650 to $1.0740 area. There was not much activity it was mainly locals and short-term specs," said a trader.
"I'm sure there was some concern over here, because a lot of coffee brokers on the floor were in the Trade Centre during September 11," he said, referring to the plane attacks in Washington and on the World Trade Center which destroyed the twin towers and killed thousands in 2001.
Four blasts tore through packed trains and a bus during London rush hour on Thursday, killing over 33 people. Police said they suspected terrorists were behind the bombings.
Among other arabicas, December dipped 0.20 cents to $1.1105 a lb., while back month contracts closed steady to down 0.65 cents.
Estimated trading volume of NYBOT arabica futures reached a low 7,790 contracts, up from Wednesday's official tally of 6,955 contracts.
In London, Life's benchmark September robusta futures contract closed down $11 at $1,243 a tonne, well off the day's low of $1,218.
Technically, one trader put key support in the NYBOT September arabica at $1.0550, and then $1.04, with resistance at $1.0760 and then $1.0925.