|

2-20 Opening Update: Grains Higher to Start the Week as Funds Near Record Short Positions

All prices as of 6:30 am Central Time

Corn
MAR ’24 419.25 2.75
JUL ’24 442.5 2.25
DEC ’24 461.25 2.5
Soybeans
MAR ’24 1181.75 9.5
JUL ’24 1193.25 8.5
NOV ’24 1156 7.5
Chicago Wheat
MAR ’24 562 1.5
JUL ’24 563.5 1.75
JUL ’25 603.75 0
K.C. Wheat
MAR ’24 571 3.75
JUL ’24 557.5 2.25
JUL ’25 598.75 0
Mpls Wheat
MAR ’24 653.5 -1.25
JUL ’24 658.75 -0.75
SEP ’24 666.25 -0.75
S&P 500
MAR ’24 5005.25 -14.5
Crude Oil
APR ’24 77.69 -0.77
Gold
APR ’24 2038.1 14
  • Corn is trading higher this morning after a loss of 12-1/2 cents in the March contract last week and its lowest close in the life of the contract on Friday. 
  • Non-commercials are near their record short position in corn and may have even broken that record as of last week. Traders will expect a bottom in corn once the funds begin unrolling that large short position.
  • Brazil’s estimated corn production for 23/24 has been reduced to 125.9 mmt by Safras & Mercado which compares to their estimate of 140.1 mmt in December.
  • Friday’s CFTC report showed that as of Tuesday 13th, funds sold an additional 16,597 contracts of corn increasing their net short position to a near record 314,341 contracts.
  • Soybeans gapped higher this morning after last week’s lower prices. China is back from its holiday today and is expected to begin buying soybeans again, but most of the business will likely go to South America.
  • In Brazil, soybean premiums improved last week despite the ongoing harvest. Farmers were unwilling to sell at the low prices causing premiums to improve.
  • The Brazilian harvest is now 31.10% complete which compares to 24.78% at this time last year. South American weather remains favorable.
  • Last week’s CFTC report showed non-commercials as sellers of 4,200 contracts of soybeans which increased their net short position to 134,500 contracts and nearing their record short position.
  • All three wheat classes are trading higher this morning after making and recovering from a double bottom at $5.56-1/4 in March Chicago wheat.
  • Russian wheat exports are currently on track to total 52.9 mmt in 23/24, but that number could drop to 48.1 mmt in the following marketing year according to the consensus forecast.
  • Australia is currently forecast to be hit by a third tropical cyclone within two months with a system forming off the northern coast and could make landfall near Queensland. This could be detrimental to the wheat crop there.
  • Friday’s CFTC report showed funds as buyers of 11,066 contracts of wheat which reduced their net short position to 55,672 contracts.

Grain Market Insider is provided by Stewart-Peterson Inc., a publishing company.

Futures and options trading involve significant risk of loss and may not be suitable for everyone. Therefore, carefully consider whether such trading is suitable for you in light of your financial condition. The data contained herein is believed to be drawn from reliable sources but cannot be guaranteed. This material has been prepared by a sales or trading employee or agent of Total Farm Marketing by Stewart-Peterson and is, or is in the nature of, a solicitation. Any decisions you may make to buy, sell or hold a futures or options position on such research are entirely your own and not in any way deemed to be endorsed by or attributed to Stewart-Peterson Inc. Reproduction of this information without prior written permission is prohibited. Hypothetical performance results have many inherent limitations. No representation is being made that any account will or is likely to achieve profits or losses similar to those shown. The data contained herein is believed to be drawn from reliable sources but cannot be guaranteed. Reproduction and distribution of this information without prior written permission is prohibited. This material has been prepared by a sales or trading employee or agent of Total Farm Marketing and is, or is in the nature of, a solicitation. Any decisions you may make to buy, sell or hold a position on such research are entirely your own and not in any way deemed to be endorsed by or attributed to Total Farm Marketing.

Stewart-Peterson Inc., Stewart-Peterson Group Inc., and SP Risk Services LLC are each part of the family of companies within Total Farm Marketing (TFM). Stewart-Peterson Inc. is a publishing company. Stewart-Peterson Group Inc. is registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) as an introducing broker and is a member of National Futures Association. SP Risk Services LLC is an insurance agency. A customer may have relationships with any or all three companies.