Markets

CBOT Trends-Wheat down 1-3 cents, corn steady-up 1, soy up 1-4

Published December 20, 2017 Updated December 20, 2017 11:38pm

WHEAT - Down 1 to 3 cents per bushel

Lower on profit taking and consolidation ahead of the long holiday weekend.

Forecasts for less threatening weather in the US Plains wheat belt adding further pressure after concerns earlier in the week that frigid temperatures could damage crops that lack snow cover.

CBOT March soft red winter wheat last traded down 1 cent at $4.18-1/2 per bushel, K.C. March hard red winter wheat was last down 1-1/2 cents at $4.18-1/2, and MGEX March spring wheat was down 1 cent at $6.17-3/4.

CORN - Steady to up 1 cent per bushel

Steady to firm in range-bound trade, hovering just above contract lows. Short covering underpinning prices while ample domestic and global grain supplies capping rallies.

CBOT March corn was last up 1/4 cent at $3.47-3/4 per bushel.

SOYBEANS - Up 1 to 4 cents per bushel

Higher in a rebound from four days of declines and after notching a three-month low in overnight trade.

Underlying support from limited rainfall in some parts of Argentina's parched crop belt and forecasts for a drier pattern in the week ahead.

Brazilian soybean exports remain active, with mid-December loadings slated to be the highest ever for the period.

The European Commission has approved Canadian canola for use in producing biodiesel in the European Union under its tougher environmental standard, the Canadian government said on Tuesday.

CBOT January soybeans were last up 3-1/2 cents at $9.59-1/2 per bushel.

Copyright Reuters, 2017