IT was another week of sideways movement for wool with the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX) Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) dipping three cents to close at 1246 cents a kilogram.
A total of 41,730 bales were offered during the series.
AWEX senior market analyst Lionel Plunkett said 56 per cent of the came out of the Melbourne auction which hosted its second largest sale for the season.
"Most of the loss in the benchmark indicator came from the Sydney market where the soft market pulled fleece types back 5 to 10 cents and values came closer into line to Melbourne prices," Mr Plunkett said.
"Melbourne was more resilient and even managed increases in the 18 to 22-micron range.
"The 21/22-range rallied 10 to 15 cents in that selling centre after renewed interest on the final day.
"Despite the losses in some parts the better types were still a source of optimism as they continued to maintain buyer support during the week.
"High strength (40nkt), good length (80/90mm), and low mid-break types found consistent buyer enthusiasm that was lacking in the low-spec types.
"Small improvements in prices continued at the East-only series on Thursday which finished the week off on a positive note."
Merino Skirtings generally lost ground during the sale, easing 10 to 20 cents when compared to the previous week.
Mr Plunkett said crossbreds were the weakest sector in the overall market and provided the biggest drag on the EMI during the sale.
"The falls were as large as 20 cents in Melbourne on the back of the biggest national Crossbred offering in nine months," he said.
"Oddment numbers were also in abundance during the sale, however they showed a more positive result.
"The Merino Carding Indicators all improved, jumping 15 to 20 cents at the east coast auctions."
A total of 38,950 bales are expected to be offered next week.
