Grain futures are lower in overnight trading amid what appears to be profit taking after Tuesday’s rally.  Soybeans are up a little as dry weather continues in eastern Brazil and estimates of Argentina’s crop size fade.\r\n   Adding even more pressure to the corn market was increased hede selling as farmer selling picked up on … Read More

There is no sign of it yet, but some market analysts continue to warn that funds coming out of equities could migrate into cheaper commodities.  If it does, sharp rallies could ensue as the money flow gives futures markets lives of their own.\r\n   Such warnings have been heard since the stock market began to … Read More

Hit by weaker domestic and foreign demand, China’s official manufacturing PMI declined to a six-month low in January.  Although this is about what was expected after a lower preliminary HSBC reading last week, a Reuters story said it heightens worries of an economic slowdown and weaker US exports.\r\n   The official Purchasing Managers’ Index from … Read More

The latest winter storm to sweep across the continental US likely will leave in its wake blessings and pain, and the mixed overnight trading in grains and soybean futures shows this.  \r\n   The latest forecast map from the National Weather Service for today shows the possibility of heavy snow and freezing rain falling in … Read More

Rumors that China is cancelling orders for US soybeans and turning to cheaper Brazilian product abound and are taking futures prices lower.  But wheat and corn are bouncing amid winter-kill fears and thoughts of continuing corn exports in the near term.\r\n   China normally switches to Brazilian soybeans this time of year as the harvest … Read More

President Barack Obama, in his State Of The Union address last night, did not deliver any defining moments for the markets.  Stocks are up in overnight trading more because of what Turkey’s Central Bank did than because of anything the President said.  \r\n   Turkey’s Central Bank, at an emergency policy meeting Tuesday night, raised … Read More

The Farm Bill finally passed out of committee yesterday, and as usual, it is getting mixed reactions.  \r\n   Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich) applauded the removal of direct payment subsidies, while some high-powered livestock and poultry lobbying groups are opposing final passage.  Opposition from the American Meat Institute, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the National … Read More