Commodity Blog

Commodity Prices – Soybean

Hogs futures gained today on speculation that prices declined too much last week, considering strong demand in the US. Exports of meat rose, also adding to demand. October futures for hog settlement rose $0.00275 (0.4 percent) to $0.7515 per pound by 13 on CME.

Soybean prices dropped today on speculation that demand in China and the US may slow after prices surged. November futures for soybean delivery slid $0.125 (1.2 percent) to $10.10 per bushel as of 13:15 on CBoT, the biggest drop since August 19th. December futures for soybean-oil delivery dropped $0.0048 (1.2 percent) to $40.05 per pound.

Corn slipped today as rains improved outlook for wheat output and on speculation that demand for ethanol would fall after oil prices declined. Speculators continue to bet on price increase, anyway. December futures for corn delivery fall $0.0225 (0.5 percent) to $4.3925 per bushel on CBoT.

Soybeans gained today on speculation that US inventories will decline with increasing China’s imports. China bought 284,000 metric tons of US soybeans for delivery after September 1st, while Chinese processors may have purchased more than 1.2 million tons of soybeans from the US in the previous week. November futures for soybean delivery went up $0.0525 (0.5 percent) to $10.39 per bushel as of 10:12 on CBoT.

Cocoa slipped to the lowest level in three months in London on outlook for better harvest in Ivory Coast, the biggest grower in the world. The harvest starting next month may rise 11 percent to 1 million metric tons from 900,000 tons in the previous year. December delivery for cocoa gained $4 (0.1 percent) to $3,039 per ton by 12:03 on ICE.

Raw-sugar futures erased gains, sliding to the two-week low, on speculation that growing supplies from Brazil will curb the global deficit. Production in Brazil’s Center South, the largest producing region in the world, advanced 26 percent in the first half of July. October delivery for raw sugar fell 0.5 cent (2.7 percent) to $0.1774 per pound as of 13:10 on ICE.

Gold gained today on speculation that low prices would encourage investors to buy the precious metal. Most analysts say that the decline of prices is temporary and may end soon. It can be considered a good buying opportunity for long-term investors. December futures for gold delivery advanced $6.10 (0.5 percent) to $1,177.30 per ounce on COMEX.

Corn and soybean prices went up today as demand for supplies from the US grew after drought and high temperatures harmed crops from Germany to Russia. Grain output in Germany estimated to drop as much as 11 percent, from 49.6 million metric tons in 2009 to 44 million this year. Drought hurt crops across at least 10.3 million hectares (25.5 million acres) in Russia, causing the government to declare emergencies in 27 crop-producing regions. December futures for corn delivery went up $0.0775 (2 percent) to $4.015 per bushel on CBoT. November futures for soybean delivery rose $0.1175 (1.2 percent) to $9.9975 per bushel as of 10:32.

Corn and soybeans price gained on speculation that dry weather may harm crops in the U.S., the largest grower and exporter in the word. As much as 20 percent of the Midwest crops threatened by heat wave over the next six weeks as temperatures may reach 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit). These speculations spurred buying, which is driven primarily not but demand itself, but rather by concern for lower supplies. December futures for corn delivery gained $0.07 (1.8 percent) to $3.94 per bushel as of 10:35 on CBoT. November futures for soybean delivery rose $0.0825 (0.9 percent) to $9.6275 a bushel

Gold slid in New York after prices rose to the highest level in three weeks. The precious metal encountered resistance at the $1,215 level. The analysts say that price below $1,200 is good opportunity to buy. August futures for gold delivery slipped $5.60 to $1,207.90 per ounce by 12:32 on COMEX.

Soybeans gained for the third straight session, erasing the previous losses, after the report showed that U.S. exports rosed in the previous week. In the week ended July 8 the U.S. Department of Agriculture inspected 6.515 million bushels intended for export, more than double compared to the week before. U.S. stockpiles estimated to total 175 million bushels on August 31st, 5.4 percent less than forecast in June. November futures for soybean delivery added $0.0275 (0.3 percent) to $9.56 per bushel as of 12:05 on CBoT.

Wheat gained, erasing the previous declines, on forecast that drought in Russia would curb global supply. Dry weather in Russia, the fourth largest grower in the world, harmed more than half the grain planted in 11 regions. The drought, which is to be worst in a decade, may persist for the rest of July. September futures for wheat delivery gained $0.0075 (0.1 percent) to $5.3875 per bushel by 12:13 on CBoT.

Cotton and soybeans dropped today on signs of increasing output. U.S. farmers planted cotton on the area, 19 percent wider compared to the previous year. The soybeans seeded area will be 1.8 percent wider compared to the last year and will reach the all-time record, while combine output of Brazil and Argentina will grow by 37 percent. December delivery for cotton slid $0.0051 (0.7 percent) to $0.7762 per pound as of 9:50 on ICE. November futures for soybean delivery slipped $00325 (0.4 percent) to $9.0875 per bushel by 11:03 on CBoT.

Raw sugar climbed to the weekly high level on forecast that output in India would be reduced by adverse weather. Production in Thailand may also fall; it expected to decline by 13 percent. October delivery for raw sugar rose $0.0041 (2.7 percent) to $0.1569 per pound as of 11:50 on ICE Futures U.S.

Copper rebounded today as the concern for the global recovery eased after the report about the increased manufacturing in the U.S. Chicago PMI index value of 59.1 in June indicated an increase, as figure above 50 signals about growth. September futures for copper delivery gained $0.0165 (0.6 percent) to $2.947 per pound at 12:20 on COMEX.

Wheat futures dropped today as favorable weather may help U.S. farmers to accelerate harvest. Demand for U.S. wheat also fell because importers turned to supplies from the Black Seas region. September futures for wheat delivery slid $0.06 (1.3 percent) to $4.65 a bushel on CBoT.

Soybeans gained today, erasing the previous losses, on speculation that excessive precipitation in the U.S. would reduce the area, in which the crop would be planted. Soybean planting probably may drop from the forecast 78.1 million to 76.5 million acres. November futures for soybean delivery slipped $0.06 (0.7 percent) to $9.18 per bushel as of 1:12 p.m. the Chicago Board of Trade.

Hog futures slid today on speculation that increasing profits would encourage U.S. farmers to reduce cuts of hog herd. According to analysts, producers aren’t expanding for now, yet they may be planning to do that in future. August futures for hog settlement subtracted $0.0175 (2.1 percent) to $0.82175 per pound on CME.

Wheat gained today on outlook that production in the U.S., Canada and Russia would decline because of adverse weather. U.S. output may decline 6.7 percent in the year started June 1st; Canadian farmers sowed 7.1 percent less acres than in the previous year; Russia expected to harvest 55.9 million metric tons of wheat, 9.5 percent fewer than previously predicted. September futures for wheat delivery gained $0.0475 (1 percent) to $4.805 per bushel as of 10:24 a.m. on CBoT.

Corn and soybeans fell today on forecast that warm weather would boost harvest. Another reasons for drop of the commodities were the stronger dollar and the outlook for lower demand from China. December futures for corn delivery slid $0.0375 (1 percent) to $3.6825 per bushel by 11:09 on the Chicago Board of Trade. November futures for soybean delivery fell $0.11 (1.2 percent) to $9.25 a bushel.

Sugar dropped today, erasing previous gains, after new home sales in the U.S. tumbled, signaling that the economic recovery may stall. Markets were also bothered by slumping equities and falling crude oil prices. October delivery for raw sugar slipped $0.0011 (0.7 percent) to $0.1581 per pound on ICE Futures U.S.

Copper gained on expectations that demand will rise after China, the largest consumer of the metal in the world, signaled that it might end yuan’s peg to dollar. Strong currency will allow more imports for China, including base metals, mainly nickel and copper. September futures for copper delivery gained $0.058 (2 percent) to $2.9595 per pound on COMEX.

Another commodity benefiting from the expected end of yuan’s peg was soybeans as increasing China’s purchasing power would allow the nation to buy more U.S. crops. China bought 120,000 metric tons of soybeans from U.S. exporters for delivery before August 31st. November futures for soybean delivery added $0.085 (0.9 percent) to $9.39 per bushel on CBoT.

Sugar futures gained on speculation that global demand will rise, spurring importers to increase their purchases. Philippines plans to import 100,000 metric tons of the sweetener over the next two weeks, while Egypt expected to purchase at least 50,000 tons of raw sugar. October delivery for raw sugar rose $0.0058 (3.8 percent) to $0.1596 per pound on ICE.

Soybeans rose on today on the speculation that unusually wet weather will halt planting in the U.S. Precipitation in some parts of the U.S. was six time of the normal amount. November futures for soybean delivery gained $0.055 (0.6 percent) to $9.305 per bushel on CBoT.

Cotton dropped today on forecast that production in the U.S. will surge. In the current season U.S. production predicted to reach as much as 16.7 million bales in the year beginning August 1st, compared to the previous estimates of 12.2 million. In the next season output expected to grow even more, especially in Texas. Hedge-fund managers and other large speculators reduced their net-long positions to the lowest level in nine months by June 8th. December delivery for cotton slid $0.0047 (0.6 percent) to $0.7895 per pound on ICE Futures U.S.