Commentary

Quiet, well-supported dairy markets by midweek
05/05/2011 8:07:00 AM
The Class III futures market feels as though it’s stuck in summer doldrums, as volume barely eclipsed 500 trades Wednesday with 534. And, we’ve seen 1,000 contracts eclipsed just once in the last three weeks. Prices were soft during the early morning hours, but the spot market looked like it would induce some activity as both blocks and barrels rose in an active session. FULL STORY »

CBOT corn outlook: Up slightly on supply worries, cash market
05/04/2011 9:41:24 AM
U.S. corn futures are poised to open slightly higher Wednesday on support from firm cash prices, while a modest pickup in the planting pace limits the markets. FULL STORY »

Spot buying interest didn’t translate to futures yesterday
05/04/2011 8:05:34 AM
Class III futures traded mostly lower giving up part of Monday’s gains during a quiet, low volume trading session Tuesday. With the substantial price premiums built into the forward Class III curve, even a firm CME spot cheese session — 11 bids in blocks remained — and firming dry whey prices weren’t enough to inspire further futures gains. Slightly over-bought conditions and quiet outside news made for more of a consolidation trade, which can be expected to extend into early trade here today. FULL STORY »

CBOT corn outlook: Mixed on dollar strength, lag in planting
05/03/2011 9:48:48 AM
U.S. corn futures are poised for a mixed start Tuesday, with strength in the U.S. dollar weighing on nearby contracts, while lagging planting progress supports new crop contract futures. FULL STORY »

Dairy markets generally firm to start May
05/03/2011 7:56:39 AM
Class III futures kicked off the month of May on a firm note as prices finished Monday between .05 and .16 higher through October of 2012. Just over 800 contracts traded hands as buyers plucked away at light offers largely resting above the market. Though two loads of barrel cheese traded, it was a slightly higher CME spot cheese market that helped ease Class III selling pressure on Monday. FULL STORY »

CBOT corn outlook: Lower; broader weakness, planting opportunities
05/02/2011 9:23:47 AM
U.S. corn futures are poised for a lower start Monday, succumbing to broader based commodity weakness and talk of some open windows of opportunity for plantings this week in the western Midwest. FULL STORY »

CBOT corn outlook: Seen mixed, as export sales slump
04/28/2011 9:10:10 AM
U.S. corn futures are expected to start mixed Thursday as concerns about the upcoming crop battle lower-than-expected weekly export sales that indicate high prices are slowing demand for the grain. FULL STORY »

Markets rally on Federal Reserve interest rate news
04/28/2011 7:56:38 AM
U.S. markets rallied Wednesday as the Federal Reserve announced that it will stick to easy street, keeping interest rates low for an “extended period” with Chairman Ben Bernanke stating that he’s “not sure” when the Fed will tighten rates and that bond buying will continue although there will not be a QEII. Class III moved sharply higher in the front months yesterday as traders were encouraged by increases in both the blocks and barrel prices, rather unexpectedly many might say. Prices were up 13 to 22 cents from May through July, while the rest of 2011 was steady to 5 cents higher. FULL STORY »

Oil futures: Crude settles +55c at $112.76/B on oil data, fed
04/27/2011 2:38:51 PM
Crude oil futures prices settled higher Wednesday spurred by a sharp decline in gasoline inventories and by expectations that Federal Reserve policy will keep the dollar weak. FULL STORY »

CBOT corn outlook: Lower as western Midwest turns drier
04/27/2011 9:34:29 AM
U.S. corn futures are expected to start lower Wednesday on hopes drier weather will allow farmers to advance planting in the western Midwest after early delays due to cool, wet conditions. FULL STORY »

Oil futures: Crude inches up ahead of oil data, FOMC meeting
04/27/2011 9:27:21 AM
Crude oil futures prices were slightly higher Wednesday, awaiting direction from U.S. oil inventory data and the outcome of Federal Reserve's policy board meeting. FULL STORY »