Commodity Blog

Posts Tagged ‘CBoT’

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.

Raw-sugar futures gained today on concerns that drought may threaten harvest in Brazil, the largest producer. Harvest of sugar-cane in Brazil’s Center South, the biggest growing region in the world, may be lower than estimated 570 million metric tons if dry weather persists. October delivery for raw sugar rose $0.0063 (3.2 percent) to $0.2038 per pound as of 10:48 on ICE.

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.

The rice futures rallied today as the investors bet that the huge discount of this commodity’s prices compared to other grains will spur the demand and growth. As both wheat and corn may seem overbought to many investors to rally further, the funds are turning their heads to rice, which is currently the worst performing of all grains this year.

The floods in Pakistan and the drought in Thailand also contribute to the better outlook of the rice futures at least for the next few weeks. While wheat rose by about 100 percent since June this year, rice dropped about 1/4 of its price, resulting in the widest price gap since early 2008 for these two commodities. The traders believe that the current price may go up by almost a third by the end of the year and suggest looking at supply as the main moving factor. If the weather continues to press on, the rice will continue to rally.

September rice futures is trading near $11.27 per 100 pounds as of 15:37 GMT on CBoT. It rose from $10.94 or more than 3 percent today.

Wheat prices fell today as Canada’s government report predicted that production would decline less than previously estimated. Canadian wheat output will decrease 15 percent, compared to previous estimates of a 17 percent decline. Wheat prices surged earlier after Russia banned exports because of worst drought in about half-a-century. December futures for wheat delivery slid $0.06 (0.8 percent) to $7.0825 per bushel as of 10:21 on CBoT.

Gold slipped together with other commodities today as signs slower global economic growth caused investors to sell commodities and equities. Stronger dollar also pushed gold prices lower. Reports this week increased concerns that US economy may experience double-dip recession. Next week can also bring news, as reports expected to show that sales of existing homes in the US decreased, growth of exports from Japan slowed and German business confidence weakened. December futures for gold delivery went down $7.10 (0.6 percent) to $1,228.30 per ounce by 11:19 COMEX.

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 wheat advanced today on concern that drought in Russia may curb supplies and prompt traders to turn to U.S. crops. The harvest expected to be below 80 million metric tons and some analysts reduce their forecasts even below 70 million tons, while previously forecasts promised the harvest to be above 85 million tons or even above 90 million. Low supplies may cause Russian government to restrict exports of crops.

Chad Henderson, a market analyst for Prime Consultants Inc. said:

The Russian crop problems are not just about wheat. The trend has shifted from rising inventories to declining supplies.

With decreasing supplies from Russia, traders may shift their attention to U.S. crops. U.S. the largest exporter of corn and wheat, while corn is the biggest U.S. crop.

December futures for corn delivery gained $0.0225 (0.6 percent) to $3.8025 per bushel on CBoT, after touching yesterday the lowest level since July 1. September futures for wheat delivery went up $0.0525 (0.9 percent) to $5.9475 per bushel as of 10:19.

Wheat reached 13-month high levels today as the weather troubles continue to remain a major concern of the main commodity suppliers across the world. It also looks unlikely that China or India will sell from their wheat stockpiles to satisfy the global demand.

Floods in Canada and droughts in Australia, France, Kazakhstan and Russia threaten the grain production in those regions. According to the market researchers, the wheat production in Western Australia is to fall by 9.5 million ton this year. Russian exports may be decreased by the government limits this year as the crops are falling there.

Despite the fact that the world consumers will have to buy more grain from the southern hemisphere this year, such big holders of the wheat stockpiles as China and India will probably refrain from parting with them. Analysts believe that the prices will stop rising so fast only if some other exporters will cover the supply deficit. Technical analysis factors support the bullish point of view.

Wheat went up from $586.25 to $599.50 as of 16:33 GMT on CBoT today, a spike to $609.75 was recorded earlier.

Coffee price jumped today as the weak dollar increased appeal of some commodities. The greenback slid 1 percent against the basket of six major currencies today. Analysts say that in case the futures would break the $1.70 level, the price would go up. September delivery for Arabica coffee gained $0.037 (2.2 percent) to $1.686 per pound as of 9:28 on ICE Futures U.S. in New York.

Cattle futures extended this month’s rally, climbing today to the highest level in eight weeks, on forecast that demand for beef exports from the U.S. would increase after the dollar dropped. Beef exports from the U.S. rose as much as 27 percent in May to 203.55 million pounds compared to 160.46 million in the previous year. October futures for cattle delivery rose $0.00375 (0.4 percent) to $0.93775 per pound by 10:59 on CME.

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.