Commodity Blog

Posts Tagged ‘beef’

Wheat futures slid on speculation that the stronger dollar and growing global stockpiles will cut demand for the U.S. grain. U.S. government forecast that world wheat inventories will rise 19 percent to 195.9 million metric tons in the year ending May 31st, the record level since 2002. May futures for wheat delivery slid $0.075 (1.4 percent) to $5.12 per bushel by 10:25 on the Chicago Board of Trade.

Crude oil fluctuated as the dollar rebounded versus the euro, equities rose more than predicted and on speculation about the global economic recovery. U.S. Energy Department reported that U.S. supplies of crude oil rose 1.73 million barrels last week. March delivery for crude oil dropped $0.18 to $76.83 per barrel as of 10:53 on NYMEX.

Cattle futures tumbled from a 15-month record as U.S. wholesale prices for the meat reached a highest in four-weeks, signaling that retailers may slow purchases of beef. Wholesale choice beef rose 0.6 percent to $1.4486 per pound, the highest price since January 20th, as cold weather in the U.S. reduced cattle-weight gains and diminished beef supplies. April delivery for cattle futures subtracted $0.002 to $0.91975 per pound at 11:23 on CME.

Cattle futures slid today on signs that the stronger dollar will cut appeal of  the U.S. beef. The dollar rose 0.9 percent against a basket of six major currencies to a record level since July. The rising dollar makes purchases of beef from the U.S. unprofitable for overseas traders. April futures for cattle delivery slid $0.003 (0.3 percent) to $0.9125 per pound by 12:06 on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.

Cocoa prices dropped after the dollar rebounded versus the euro and equities declined, decreasing appeal of some commodities for investors as safe haven. The dollar jumped on speculation that a European Union plan to aid Greece avoid default will fall. Analysts say that downward trend for cocoa can be short-term. May futures for cocoa delivery fell $17 (0.5 percent) to $3,099 per ton at 12:11 on ICE.

Wheat gained because of worries that dry weather will cause decline in production of Australia, the fourth- biggest exporter of the grain in the world. El Nino climate pattern causes abnormal weather that may curb grain yield. Australian growers may harvest 23 million metric tons in the year ending on May 31 compared to 21.5 million tons in the previous year. December futures for wheat delivery gained $0.0775 (1.6 percent) to $5.065 per bushel as of 10:04 on CBoT.

Gold dropped as result of a rebound in the dollar and decline of oil reducing attractiveness of the precious metal as a hedge against inflation. The dollar climbed after reports from U.S. about increase in the sales of new houses and rising orders for goods. December delivery for gold futures fell $0.9 (0.1 percent) to $945.10 per ounce by 13:05 on the New York Mercantile Exchange’s Comex division.

Argentine farmers are going to halt grain and beef sales after the government vetoed a law about tax breaks to Buenos Aires growers experiencing the worst drought in a century. The government claimed that it vetoed parts of the bill because of concern that farmers would claim their goods came from drought- afflicted areas of Buenos Aires to evade taxes. Argentine farmers harvested 13.2 million tons of corn this year compared to 22 million tons harvested previous year.

Beef demand falls, hogs slump today. Cattle futures dropped the most in seven weeks resulting in concern that beef demand is wane as the recession continues while hogs fell to the lowest since February. October futures for cattle dropped $0.01025 (1.1 percent) to $0.901/pound by 10:42 on CME.

Supply concerns rise causing sugar gain today. Demand in the world will surpass production resulting in concern that the worldwide supply deficit will increase. October futures for raw-sugar gain $0.0007 (0.4 percent) to $0.1787/pound as of 12:04 on ICE Futures  U. S. in New York.

The falling dollar increased the attractiveness of precious metals as an alternative investment causing gold to go up today. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke reimplemented a plan to keep benchmark U.S. lending rates at historic lows for a continuous period. August futures for gold increased $5.50 (0.6 percent) to $952.40/ounce at 12:39 on the New York Mercantile Exchange’s Comex division.