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.
(...)
Read the rest of Outlook for Demand Pushes Copper & Wheat Up, Oil Down (12 words)

Oil (Brent) — $75.83
Gold — $1,248.90
Silver — $19.80
Palladium — $529.00
Platinum — $1,556.17
Copper — $7,656.00
Aluminum — $2,148.00
Nickel — $21,690.00
Zinc — $2,152.80
Cocoa — $2,719.00
Sugar — $20.75
Corn — $450.75
Soybean — $1028.00

Gold rallied today on forecast that central banks around the world would keep interest rates at present levels. The European Central Bank decided today to keep the benchmark interest rate at the record low level of 1 percent. The Federal Reserve has kept the US benchmark rate near 0.25 percent since December 2008. December futures for gold delivery gained $5.30 (0.4 percent) to $1,253.40 by 13:46 COMEX.
(...)
Read the rest of Rally of Copper & Gold (12 words)

Oil (Brent) — $76.85
Gold — $1,251.12
Silver — $19.62
Palladium — $522.00
Platinum — $1,546.28
Copper — $7,646.00
Aluminum — $2,144.00
Nickel — $21,700.00
Zinc — $2,162.00
Cocoa — $2,691.00
Sugar — $20.72
Corn — $433.00
Soybean — $1007.50

While in some countries wheat harvest is also threatened by drought, in Europe wheat faces other danger: excessive rains. Wheat prices jumped on speculation that Germany and some other countries of the Western European Union would have too much rain and also after Egypt bought 225,000 metric tons of wheat from the US. December futures for wheat delivery gained $0.23 (3.4 percent) to $7.0875 per bushel by 13:15 on CBoT.

Crude oil prices jumped today after manufacturing in the US and China expanded in August faster than expected. ISM PMI in the US rose from 55.5 to 56.3 in August. October settlement for crude oil (Brent) went up $1.71 (2.3 percent) to $76.35 per barrel on ICE.
(...)
Read the rest of Sugar & Wheat Gain on Weather Concerns, Oil Rises (12 words)

Oil (Brent) — $76.36
Gold — $1,244.96
Silver — $19.30
Palladium — $515.00
Platinum — $1,530.60
Copper — $7,620.00
Aluminum — $2,103.00
Nickel — $21,176.00
Zinc — $2,149.00
Cocoa — $2,707.00
Sugar — $20.40
Corn — $432.25
Soybean — $1005.00

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.
(...)
Read the rest of Demand Raises Prices for Hogs, Drives Down Soybeans & Corn (12 words)

Oil (Brent) — $74.44
Gold — $1,247.65
Silver — $19.30
Palladium — $499.50
Platinum — $1,519.19
Copper — $7,405.00
Aluminum — $2,045.00
Nickel — $20,715.00
Zinc — $2,074.80
Cocoa — $2,698.00
Sugar — $19.76
Corn — $426.50
Soybean — $1005.25

Gold fluctuated today, but expected to resume its rally as faltering economic recovery and declining US equities increased demand for the metal as a safe haven. US stocks dropped after a government report showed that personal income rose less than predicted. The gross domestic product rose 1.6 percent in the second quarter of 2010, less than estimated in the previous month. December futures for gold delivery slid $0.5 to $1,237.40 per ounce by 11:25 on COMEX. Gold prices advanced 13 percent this year, touching the record level of $1,266.50 per ounce in June.
(...)
Read the rest of Wheat Rises with Dry Weather; Gold Expected to Rally (12 words)

Oil (Brent) — $76.44
Gold — $1,236.25
Silver — $19.09
Palladium — $497.00
Platinum — $1,527.24
Cocoa — $2,672.00
Sugar — $19.59
Corn — $426.75
Soybean — $1020.75

(...)
Read the rest of Technical Analysis, August 30th — September 3rd, 2010 (15 words)

Oil (Brent) — $74.52
Gold — $1,233.16
Silver — $18.93
Palladium — $496.00
Platinum — $1,524.52
Copper — $7,306.00
Aluminum — $2,014.00
Nickel — $20,555.00
Zinc — $2,040.00
Cocoa — $2,661.00
Sugar — $19.43
Corn — $421.00
Soybean — $39.41