Commodity Blog

Posts Tagged ‘NYMEX’

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.

Analysts forecast that gold priced in euro will continue to hit new highs. When price will reach its previous peak a cup and handle pattern may occur as investors start selling, causing some decline in price. After that price tend to rise greatly. Gold rose to 836.98 euro per ounce, an all-time record, on March 2nd.

Copper scrap discount to New York-listed futures declined by half in two months on deficit of used metal. Demand for the copper is rebounding on speculation that economic recovery will increase consumption. In the same time, scrap copper becoming scarcer because of harsh winter in the U.S. as snow hampers collection of scarp. May delivery for copper shrunk 0.3 percent to $3.4245 per pound by 11:17 on NYMEX.

Gold may slid after the dollar rebounded against the euro, cutting appeal of the metal as an alternative asset. The greenback rose on concern about Greece’s debts last month. Gold have tendency to move inversely to the U.S. currency.

Yet there are some factors that can support the metal’s price. Commodities’ prices may go up as U.S. economy advanced at a 5.9 percent annual rate in the fourth quarter, the greatest pace in six years. Chile earthquake boosted the base metals prices, possibly pushing other commodities up. Africa’s biggest gold mines may halt due strikes, decreasing supply of the precious metal.

April futures for gold delivery fell $1.20 (0.1 percent) to $1,117.70 per ounce by 11:28 on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange. Immediate delivery for gold was at $1,117.30 in London.

Wheat gained on speculation that futures will advance, causing investors, who had bet on price decline, to buy back contracts and to close out positions. Speculative long positions in wheat futures were outnumbered by short positions by as much as 51,195 contracts in the week ended February 16th in Chicago. May futures for wheat delivery added $0.1025 (2 percent) to $5.14 per bushel by 10:16 on the Chicago Board of Trade.

Crude oil gained on signals that fuel demand may rise in the U.S. as economy recovers. Price was also aided by the dollar’s decline against the euro. The number of tankers used as floating storage for crude oil and diesel dropped 20 percent in January. April delivery for crude oil went up $1.70 (2.2 percent) to $79.87 per barrel as of 10:41 on NYMEX.

Copper slipped today on speculation that economic rebound in the U.S. may be slow. Uncertainty in future of the U.S. economy lowered consumer confidence, causing fewer purchases. Copper prices also slid as the rebounding dollar curbed the appeal of commodities as an inflation hedge. May futures for copper delivery fell $0.094 (2.8 percent) to $3.2345 per pound on the Comex Division of the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Cocoa sunk to the lowest since September in New York on signals that large supplies will cut the price of the chocolate ingredient. Prices also dropped as the dollar gained 0.7 percent versus the euro. A rising dollar cut demand for some commodities as alternative assets. May futures for cocoa delivery slid $138 (4.5 percent) to $2,945 per ton on ICE.

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.

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.

Gold rose in New York and London after the dollar declined, boosting appeal of precious metals as an inflation hedge. The U.S. Dollar Index dropped 0.9 percent on speculation that European Union officials will agree to assist Greece to tackle its budget deficit. Gold have tendency to gain when greenback falls.

As concern for European woes is decreasing, the demand for gold and other investment assets rebound. China’s passenger-car sales more than doubled in January with government economic stimulus measures. High automobile sales in China helped the prices for precious metals.

April delivery for gold futures gained $15.10 (1.4 percent) to $1,081.30 per ounce by 12:02 on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange. Previous decline was considered as ”a buying opportunity” and have increased bullion purchases.

Oil gained after forecast about winter storms in the U.S. this week. The National Weather Service is predicting that temperatures will be below average for the next 6–10 days. According to weather forecast Washington temperatures will be 10 degrees Fahrenheit (12 degrees Celsius) below normal as of February 14th, while New York will be 8 degrees below average by February 13th.

U.S. inventories of distillate fuel, including heating oil and diesel, decreased last week after temperatures fell. OPEC governor stated today that global oil supplies are enough to satisfy demand for the first half of 2010.

March delivery for crude oil advanced $0.73 cents (1 percent) to $71.92 per barrel by 11:58 on the New York Mercantile Exchange. March delivery for heating oil rose $0.016 (0.9 percent) to $1.8908 per gallon. March settlement for Brent crude gained $0.61 (0.9 percent) to $70.20 per barrel on ICE. Hedge-funds and other large speculators reduced bets on increasing oil prices for a third week.

Cotton prices tumbled, continuing the longest decline since September 2008, on investor concerns that harsh banking regulations may curb commodity trading. Traders limit their purchases and sales until rules will be clear to minimize risk of money loss. March futures for cotton delivery waned $0.0048 (0.7 percent) to $0.6855 per pound as of 11:23 on ICE.

Gold gained on speculation that the dollar’s advance will slow, increasing appeal of the precious metal as an inflation hedge. The U.S. currency slid as much as 0.5 percent versus the euro. A rising deficit in the U.S. forces investors to buy hard assets like gold and oil. April futures for gold delivery added $15.40 (1.4 percent) to $1,099.10 per ounce by 11:27 on the New York Mercantile Exchange’s Comex unit.