Commodity Blog

Posts Tagged ‘export’

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Arabica coffee climbed to the weekly high level today amid speculations that supplies would decline. Inventories tracked by ICE sank 29 percent this year to the lowest level since August 2002 as of July 7th. Global exports will be below last year’s forecast of 95.5 million bags (1 bag equals 60 kilograms or 132 pounds). September delivery for Arabica coffee gained $0.024 (1.5 percent) to $1.645 per pound at 10:01 on ICE.

Cattle futures dropped today on expectation that outdoor grilling in the U.S. would decline because of jot weather, diminishing demand for beef. Prices also may slump as investors liquidate positions after the three-day rally. Prices were rising throughout this year partly because of growing demand for beef. August futures for cattle delivery dropped $0.004 (0.4 percent) to $0.905 per pound as of 10:47 on CME.

Cattle and hogs futures gained today on outlook that demand for U.S. exports would rise as stocks gained and the dollar fell. The dollar tumbled today as much as 0.8 percent versus the basket of six major currencies, increasing attractiveness of U.S. exports. August futures for cattle delivery gained $0.01275 (1.4 percent) to $0.9075 per pound by 9:14 on CME. August futures for hog settlement went up $0.00525 (0.7 percent) to $0.80575 per pound.

Copper prices rose today as declining stockpiles suggested that demand would remain strong despite the slowdown of the global economic recovery. LME-monitored inventories declined 12 percent this year and fell to the lowest level in seven months today. September futures for copper delivery rose $0.092 (3.2 percent) to $3.9925 per pound by 11:33 a.m. on COMEX.

Corn prices dropped today on prediction that rainfalls would increase soil moisture and boost harvest in the U.S., the largest exporter in the world. Analysts say that prices are high enough, despite fewer than planned acres were sowed last month because of unfavorable weather. December futures for corn delivery slid $0.0275 (0.7 percent) to $3.8175 per bushel as of 12:54 on CBoT.

Orange-juice futures dropped on forecast that the crop in Florida, the second biggest producer in the world, would be bigger than previously predicted. Forecast says that yield would total 133.6 million boxes in the harvest ending in July, 1.5 percent up from previous estimates. July futures for orange-juice delivery declined $0.0045 (0.3 percent) to $1.3785 per pound yesterday on ICE.

Cotton prices climbed today to the highest level in a week after exports in the U.S. jumped amid speculation that the global economic recovery would retain its pace, boosting the demand. U.S export sales of cotton jumped to 624,200 running bales in the week ended June 3rd, more than three times compared to the week before. December delivery for cotton jumped $0.0144 (1.9 percent) to $0.7907 per pound on ICE Futures U.S. in New York.

Wheat gained today after the U.S. government predicted that domestic inventories of corn, which is used for feeding livestock, would decline more than expected. Stockpiles expected to fall to 1.603 billion bushels by the end of the marketing year on August 31st. July futures for corn delivery went up $0.05 (1.5 percent) to $3.4325 per bushel on CBoT.

Hog and cattle futures advanced on signs of the expanding global economic recovery, which may increase demand for U.S. meat. China’s exports jumped 50 percent from the last year, hinting that pace of the global recovery is accelerating. The weaker dollar also helped U.S. meat exports, making them cheaper, and thus more attractive, to oversees buyers. July futures for hog settlement rose $0.0075 (1 percent) to $0.7895 per pound by 10:05 on CME. August futures for cattle delivery gained $0.00525 (0.6 percent) to $0.8835 per pound.

Cocoa futures gained for the third consecutive day in New York amid concerns that the viral disease may hurt the crops, diminishing output in Ivory Coast, the biggest grower in the world. The only way for farmers to prevent spreading of swollen shoot, which is spread by insects and usually kills infected plants within two years, is by uprooting and burning infected trees. Global output will trail demand by 69,000 metric tons in the year ending September 30th. July delivery for cocoa advanced $13 (0.4 percent) to $2,994 per metric ton as of 10:16 on ICE Futures.