Recap for January 2
- Stock markets around the world enjoyed a rally to open 2020 after China said it would take further steps to reinvigorate its economy, the world’s second largest. U.S. equity markets were no exception and the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite all surpassed their previous records set last month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average soared 330.36 points to close at 28,868.80. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index was up 27.07 points to close at 3,257.85. And the Nasdaq Composite was 119.58 points higher, closing at 9,092.19.
- U.S. grain and soybean futures opened 2020 advancing to 2018 highs reached before the U.S.-China trade war during the session, but analysts cautioned wheat and corn could soon see a setback. Wheat futures ended mixed. Fewer U.S. soybeans were crushed in November than anticipated, a U.S.D.A. report said. March corn advanced 3¾c to close at $3.91½ per bu. Chicago March wheat added 1½c to close at $5.60¼ a bu. Kansas City March wheat eased ¾c to $4.85¼ a bu; K.C. September and beyond edged higher. Minneapolis March wheat dipped 2¾c to close at $5.58¼ a bu. January soybeans added 1¼c to close at $9.44¼ a bu. January soybean meal added 70c to close at $300.60 a ton. January soybean oil was up 0.48c to 34.97c a lb.
- U.S. crude oil futures edged higher Thursday. The February future was up 12c at $61.18 per barrel.
- The U.S. dollar strengthened Thursday.
- U.S. gold futures also advanced. The February future was up $5 to $1,528.10 an oz on Thursday.
Recap for December 31
- Wheat and soybean futures closed higher in the last session of 2019, boosted by the idea of Chinese purchases of agricultural products after President Trump tweeted that a phase one deal would be signed Jan. 15. Corn and soybean oil futures eased. Minneapolis wheat, Chicago wheat, corn, soybean and soybean oil futures posted gains for the year while Kansas City wheat and soybean meal futures were slightly lower. March corn eased ½c to close at $3.87¾ per bu. Chicago March wheat added 2¾c to close at $5.58¾ a bu. Kansas City March wheat rose 5½c to $4.86 a bu. Minneapolis March wheat rose 4c to close at $5.61 a bu. January soybeans added 3½c to close at $9.43 a bu. January soybean meal added $2.40 to close at $299.90 a ton. January soybean oil was down 0.68c to 34.49c a lb.
- U.S. equity markets fluctuated during the final session of the year Tuesday, finally closing higher for the day and posting one of the best years in the past decade. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 76.30 points to close at 28,438.44 points. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index was up 9.49 points to close at 3,230.78 points. And the Nasdaq Composite was 26.61 points higher, closing at 8,972.60.
- U.S. crude oil futures trended lower Tuesday afternoon. The February future was down about 60c at $61.06 per barrel in late trading.
- As of mid-afternoon Tuesday, the value of the U.S. dollar continued to ease.
- U.S. gold futures trended higher as the dollar weakened. The February future was up about $4.30 to $1,522.90 an oz in Tuesday afternoon trading.
Recap for December 30
- Wheat futures mostly continued to rally Monday as export demand appeared brisk and strengthening with the possibility of increased Chinese imports. Corn futures were mixed on competing ideas of increased China trade and favorable crop weather in competing South American corn producing countries. Good Southern Hemisphere soybean crop conditions were offset by positive trade sentiment in the case of soy complex futures, which posted solid gains. March corn subtracted 1¾c to close at $3.88¼ per bu, though later months were mixed. Chicago March wheat eased ¼c to close at $5.56 a bu, though later months all advanced in a narrow range. Kansas City March wheat rose ¾c to $4.80½ a bu. Minneapolis March wheat rose 3½c to close at $5.57 a bu. January soybeans jumped 10c to close at $9.39½ a bu. January soybean meal added $2.10 to close at $297.50 a ton. January soybean oil was up 0.44c to 34.17c a lb.
- U.S. equity markets, along with global stock markets, fell Monday as a year-end rally lost steam after pushing stocks to record highs in 2019. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 183.12 points, or 0.64%, to close at 28,462.14. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index slipped 18.73 points, or 0.58%, to close at 3,221.29. The Nasdaq Composite deleted 60.62 points, or 0.67%, to close at 8,945.99.
- U.S. crude oil futures eased Monday. The February future was down 4c at $61.68 per barrel.
- The value of the U.S. dollar continued to ease Monday.
- U.S. gold futures edged higher as the dollar weakened. The February future was up 50c to $1,518.60 an oz.
Recap for December 27
- Wheat futures continued to rally Friday on enduring enthusiasm for the prospect of increased Chinese purchases. Soybeans initially rose on the same ideas but retreated to a lower close as traders booked profits. Corn futures reached their highest levels since Nov. 1. March corn added 1½c to close at $3.90 per bu. Chicago March wheat added 7¼c to close at $5.56¼ a bu. Kansas City March wheat rose 9¼c to close at $4.79¾ a bu. Minneapolis March wheat rose 6¼c to close at $5.53½ a bu. January soybeans fell 8¼c to close at $9.29½ a bu. January soybean meal fell $4.10 to close at $295.40 a ton. January soybean oil was up 0.35c to close at 34.73c a lb.
- Advances in shares of retailers following signs of a strong holiday shopping season helped the Down industrials to another record close Friday, while the S&P 500 was nearly flat and the tech-focused Nasdaq slid. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 23.87 points, or 0.08%, to close at 28,645.26. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index edged up 0.11 point, or 0.00%, to close at 3,240.02. The Nasdaq Composite fell 15.77 points, or 0.17%, to close at 9,006.62.
- U.S. crude oil futures edged higher Friday after an Energy Information Administration report indicated oil inventories fell further than expected and production returned to record levels. The February future was up 4c at $61.72 per barrel.
- The value of the U.S. dollar weakened Friday.
- U.S. gold futures rose as the dollar fell. The expiring December future was up $4.50 to $1,513.80 an oz.
Recap for December 26
- Soybean futures moved higher Thursday on technical trading and in anticipation of a phase one deal with China and of the Jan. 10 U.S.D.A. crop report that will provide updated soybean and corn production estimates, with the nearby contract hitting a 1½-year high during the session but closing with only a small gain. Corn and wheat futures also were higher, with wheat leading the way on technical buying and tightening global supplies. March corn added 1c to close at $3.88½ per bu. Chicago March wheat added 8c to close at $5.49 a bu. Kansas City March wheat rose 10c to close at $4.70½ a bu. Minneapolis March wheat rose 4¼c to close at $5.47¼ a bu. January soybeans added 1¼c to close at $9.37¾ a bu. January soybean meal fell $2.30 to close at $299.50 a ton. January soybean oil was up 0.50c to close at 34.38c a lb.
- Major U.S. equity markets were pushed to new records Thursday, and the Nasdaq past 9,000 points for the first time, by signs of strong holiday season sales for retailers, including Amazon, Macy’s and Nordstrom. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 105.94 points, or 0.37%, to close at 28,621.39. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index added 16.53 points, or 0.51%, to close at 3,239.91. The Nasdaq Composite added 69.51 points, or 0.78%, to close at 9022.39.
- U.S. crude oil futures advanced Thursday as the market continued to be supported by optimism that a Beijing-Washington phase one trade deal will be reached early next year. The February future was up 57c at $61.68 per barrel.
- The value of the U.S. dollar weakened Thursday.
- U.S. gold futures rose as the dollar weakened. The expiring December future was up $10.20 to $1,509.30 an oz.
