Overview: Commodities were higher today, as China did not raise lending rates over the weekend as was feared on Friday. This weakened the dollar giving the outside markets a lift as well as the grains. Scattered showers occurred in Argentina over the weekend, while conditions in Australia are expected to be drier during the next[…]
Corn Outlook: Tight stocks and strength in wheat are the factors supporting corn. In addition, extending the Bush tax cuts and unemployment benefits are seen as increasing the deficit and bearish the dollar. Meanwhile, exports are lethargic and running 29 percent below the pace needed to reach USDA’s projection of 1.950 BB. Inspections last[…]
Overview: The dollar snapped a three-day losing streak on comments from Bernanke that the Fed may boost purchases of U.S Treasuries. With unemployment at 9.8 percent, the Fed faces a strong head wind in stimulating the economy forcing them to maintain a low interest rate environment. Corn and soybeans were weaker today because of dollar[…]
Overview: Ireland is getting a $113 billion bailout, which did little to ease investor concerns as the dollar continues to climb. Ideas are that additional funding will be needed. Keep in mind that debt problems lurk in Portugal and Spain as well, and will likely spread to other countries in Europe. Meanwhile, tensions remain between[…]
Corn Outlook: Hunting season was declared on the corn bulls in early November because of Europe’s sovereign debt crisis and the uncertain status of ethanol credits. During this time, the dollar rose 5.0 percent causing corn futures to shed 15.7 percent of their value. As a result, the trend following funds liquidated 240 MB[…]
Overview: Grain futures have calmed down the past few sessions, but volatility is going to stick with us for a while. Keep in mind that the market will be closed on Thursday for Thanksgiving and open until noon on Friday. Many traders will close up shop tomorrow or Wednesday and take a long weekend. This[…]
In the middle of a busy convention of over 700 farm broadcasters and industry professionals at the recent NAFB convention, one of the most sought peices of information was what the grain markets were going to do as we roll into 2011. Tom Brand of KFEQ stopped us in the hallway to find out what[…]
Corn Outlook: Fear of a rate increase in China and debt woes in Ireland sent shivers throughout commodities causing a sell-off in the grains early this week. Meanwhile, debt problems are heating up in Portugal and Greece. Gold tanked and the dollar rose. We must remember that the sovereign debt issue in developed countries[…]
Overview: Grain futures were literally mugged last Friday on concerns that China will raise interest rates in an effort to cool their economy. However, prices recovered today erasing much of their losses as the sell-off was thought overdone. Keep in mind that the funds are holding a record long position in soybeans and a near[…]
This week I am on the road in Kansas City, MO taking part in my innaugural convention with the National Association of Farm Broadcasters (NAFB). Last night I had the opportunity to eat dinner with about 20 of them at a local BBQ joint on the north side of town. If you are ever lookig for[…]