Commodity Blog

Posts Tagged ‘grain’

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.

Corn futures gained as the rising prices for a gasoline caused speculation about an increasing demand for grain-based fuels. The rebound in the U.S. economy has led to expectation that the demand for a fuel will increase. May delivery for corn futures gained $0.0075 (0.2 percent) to $3.4525 per bushel by 10:16 on the Chicago Board of Trade.

Cocoa futures fell in New York on the speculation that candy-makers may cut their purchases until prices will drop. The prices previously have rose on slower exports from Ivory Coast, then later dropped on the outlook for the good harvest. May delivery for cocoa retreated $37 (1.2 percent) to $2,953 per metric ton on ICE.

Cotton futures reached the highest price in more than a week after the weaker dollar spurred the demand for some commodities. The falling greenback and tight supply of the fiber are leading to a fairly strong demand. May delivery for cotton climbed $0.011 (1.3 percent) to $0.826 per pound as of 11:36 on ICE.

Soybeans gained after demand for the grain from makers of animal feed and vegetable oil in the U.S. increased in the past month. Processors consumed 148.35 million bushels of soybeans in February, which is 15 percent higher than in the previous year and highest level for the month ever. Dwindling U.S. stockpiles is a supportive factor for the grain price. May futures for soybean delivery rose $0.0525 (0.6 percent) to $9.3075 per bushel as of 11:25 on CBoT.

Wheat fell on concern that a rising dollar will cut appeal of the U.S. supplies and as good weather conditions resulted in the favorable outlook for the winter crop in Kansas. The greenback rebounded 0.7 percent versus a basket of six major currencies. The government report showed that inventories may reach 27.2 million metric tons by May 31st, the highest level since 1988. May futures for wheat delivery slid $0.045 (0.9 percent) to $4.8075 per bushel by 11:45 on the Chicago Board of Trade.

Wheat prices advanced as the dollar fell, spurring demand for the U.S. grain. The U. S. currency slipped as much as 0.4 percent versus a basket of major currencies. Global stockpiles may climb 19 percent to 195.9 million metric tons in the year ending May 31st, slowing the wheat price increase. The grain price may also fall as U.S. have to compete with other exporters. May futures for wheat delivery advanced $0.015 (0.3 percent) to $4.95 per bushel on the Chicago Board of Trade.

Sugar futures dropped to the weekly low on speculation that world demand will decline. Analysts say that with increasing global inventories “the bulls will lose their opportunity for a strong rally”. May futures for raw-sugar delivery dropped $0.0062 (2.8 percent) to $0.2157 per pound on ICE.

Copper prices slid on concern that demand for the industrial metal will decline in China with stalled economic recovery. Earlier the metal fluctuated, following the dollar and the U.S. equities. May futures for copper delivery slid $0.007 (0.2 percent) to $3.4105 per pound on NYMEX.

Wheat gained as U.S. farmers are cutting sales on anticipation that a weaker dollar will increase demand for the grain. Price was falling as global wheat supplies are increasing faster than world demand but low wheat planting this winter may cause lack of supplies, leading to rebound in price. May futures for wheat delivery rose $0.1125 (2.2 percent) to $5.1575 per bushel on the Chicago Board of Trade.

Corn advanced on speculation that excessive rainfall may harm crops in Argentina. Price is supported by combination of a falling dollar, adverse weather and improving world stock markets, as well as by farmers, who are holding crops for higher prices. May futures for corn delivery jumped $0.0525 (1.4 percent) to $3.8675 per bushel in Chicago.

Gold may rise to $1,162 per ounce, according to technical analysis, in case prices hold above $1,135 level. The precious metal advanced 3.6 percent this year. Gold traded at $1,136.45 by 10:44 in London.

Corn and wheat slid today on speculation that demand is shifting from U.S. grain. Lower quality of U.S. corn crop may result in business shifting to supplies from competing nations. May futures for corn delivery fell $0.0225 (0.6 percent) to $3.695 per bushel by 10:26 on the Chicago Board of Trade.

Cotton price reached the highest level since July 2008 on signs that the dollar will decline, increasing the demand for commodities as a hedge against inflation. The dollar dropped 0.2 percent versus a basket of six major currencies before rebounding. May futures for cotton delivery advanced $0.0037 (0.5 percent) to $0.7648 per pound as of 11:28 on ICE.

White sugar declined in London today as technicals signal that further drops may lie ahead. Prices also slid as the dollar rebounded, curbing appeal of commodities priced in U.S. currency. May delivery for white sugar slipped $10 (1.4 percent) to $704 per metric ton on the Liffe exchange.

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.

Corn and soybeans gained today as farmers slowed sales after a price drop earlier this year. Drop in sales have led to decline of supplies for export and for producing fuel, animal feed and food. May futures for corn delivery added $0.0575 (1.5 percent) to $3.79 per bushel by 10:44 on the Chicago Board of Trade. March futures for soybean delivery rose $0.18 (1.9 percent) to $9.63 per bushel.

Wheat tumbled to a weekly low after U.S. producers increased sales of grain after a price rally. Earlier wheat slid on declining demand for inventories from the U.S. and growing global stockpiles. March futures for wheat delivery slid $0.075 (1.5 percent) to $4.8925 per bushel by 10:30 on the Chicago Board of Trade.

Cocoa advanced to the highest in five weeks in New York on speculation that global consumption may exceed world output. Holidays, like Valentine’s Day, create more demand for the chocolate ingredient. May futures for cocoa delivery added $58 (1.9 percent) to $3,098 per ton at 11:20 on ICE.

Gold rose to a weekly high in New York as economic recovery spurred appeal of commodities as an alternative investment. Demand for the precious metal as a safe haven was also boosted after the European Union meeting hadn’t provide details about helping Greece with its debt crisis. April futures for gold delivery rose $18.50 (1.7 percent) to $1,094.80 per ounce as of 11:50 on NYMEX.

Cotton price touched the lowest level since November as the stronger dollar curbed the demand for the commodity as an alternative investment. The greenback reached the highest level versus basket of six major currencies since July. Price also rose as declining equities caused concern that the economic rebound may be slow. March cotton delivery slid $0.0159 (2.3 percent) to $0.674 per pound at 11:55 a.m. on ICE Futures U.S. in New York.

Wheat prices went down in Chicago as oversees buyers moved to cheaper supplies. U.S. grain was considered overpriced as wheat from Russia, France and Kazakhstan was sold to Egypt for $174.90 per metric ton, while U.S. wheat was priced at $184.91 per ton. March futures for wheat delivery dropped $0.025 (0.5 percent) to $4.7325 per bushel on CBoT.