Investors dumped U.S. livestock futures for a second straight session Tuesday as a deep sell-off in outside markets added pressure to suspicions that demand for hogs and cattle is reaching a lull. Lean hog futures fell deep into the red on Tuesday due to worries over the strength of China's economy and fears that prices will weaken in coming weeks. April hog futures closed down 265 to 86.77, June hogs fell 257 to 95.92. April live Cattle closed down 262 at 125, and March feeders fell 230 to close at $154.
U.S. wheat futures turned lower Tuesday on broad based commodity weakness and a favorable weather outlook for U.S. winter wheat crop. March wheat in Chicago fell 13 ¾ to $6.54, and March wheat in KC fell 18 to finish at $6.87.
U.S. corn futures fell Tuesday, dragged down by macroeconomic factors including a stronger dollar and concerns about weaker Chinese demand for U.S. corn. March corn dropped 8 ¼ to $6.58.
US soybean prices ended higher, rebounding after opening lower as optimism about export demand outweighs macro issues including a stronger US dollar and concerns about slower Chinese economic growth. May soybeans ended up 10 1/4 at $13.35; May soybean oil ended down 45 to 53.28, and May soy bean meal gained $7.70 to $365.90.
ICE cotton futures dropped after Indian government officials said they'll review a ban on cotton exports issued Monday. March cotton fell 34 to 92.37; more-actively traded May contract dropped 81 to end at 91.42.
Gold futures settled below $1,700 for the first time in six weeks, down nearly 2% as investors sought the safety of cash on renewed concerns over Greece, a stronger dollar and data showing weaker inflation. April gold fell $31.80 to $1,672.10 an ounce, March silver fell 90 to $32.75.
Crude oil futures dropped lower Tuesday on fresh worries over a potential slowdown in global oil demand. April crude dropped $2.02 at $104.70 a barrel, April gasoline fell 2.81 cents to $3.22 a gallon, while April distillates finished down 2.92 cents $3.18 a gallon.
Natural-gas futures settled nearly flat Tuesday as traders weighed whether warmer temperatures and high supplies can push prices to the lowest level in a decade. April Natural gas gained a fraction to $2.35.
On Wall Street Tuesday, stocks plummeted logging the worst day yet in 2012, in what was generally considered corrective action as euro worries have yet to be resolved, and the US economy continues to just slog along. The Dow fell 203 to close at 12,759, the Nasdaq closed at 2,910, down 40 and the S&P 500 lost 20 to close at 1,343. |