Commodity Blog

Copper extended its rally today after data on nonfarm payrolls eased concerns for US economy. The report on employment change released today showed much smaller decline of work places than was estimated (54,000 compared to predicted 101,000). December futures for copper delivery advanced $0.0125 (0.4 percent) to $3.508 per pound by 10:24 on COMEX.

Wheat prices advanced today as demand for supplies from the US increased after Russia extended its ban on exports. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin announced yesterday that Russia would extend a grain-export ban till the end of the next harvest. At the same time, US exporters sold 110,000 metric tons of wheat to Egypt and 275,000 tons to other buyers. Global stockpiles may fall to 174.8 million tons by the end of the marketing year on May 31st. December futures for wheat delivery gained $0.1775 (2.5 percent) to $7.315 per bushel at 10:33 on CBoT.

Crude oil fell today as decline of service industries in the US caused speculation that demand may drop. The Institute for Supply Management Purchasing Managers’ Index showed a decrease from 54.3 to 51.5 in August. October delivery for crude oil fell $1.51 (2 percent) to $73.51 per barrel as of 11:53 on NYMEX.

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