U.S. lean-hog futures fell sharply Friday, falling on demand concerns and outside-market pressure. April lean hogs fell 77 to 82.75. Deferred contracts fell more sharply, with June lean hogs falling limit down to 90.22.
U.S. live-cattle futures ended lower Friday as the market corrected following a rally on Thursday. April live cattle closed down 72 to $120, while April feeder cattle closed down 57 to $150.
US grain and soybean futures succumbed to a broad risk-off sentiment as the dollar rose amid worries about Chinese economic growth. The absence of fresh fundamental news encouraged traders to consolidate some corn and wheat positions ahead of the weekend, while strong export demand limited losses in soybeans. May soy ended down 4 1/4 to $13.36, May corn dropped 8 1/4 to $6.29, May wheat in Chicago skidded 15 3/4 to $6.23, and May wheat in KC fell 10 to close at $6.43.
ICE cotton futures softened as China's weaker-than-expected growth, stronger US dollar and weak outside markets pushed prices lower. May Cotton fell 92 to 92.08, and the July contract lost 7 to finish the week at 89.73.
Gold futures slumped on Friday, erasing much of the week's gains, as worries about the health of the global economy and strength in the dollar pushed traders to pare their holdings of the precious metal. June Gold fell $20.40 to $1,660.20, May silver closed at $31.39, down $1.13.
Crude oil futures declined Friday along with U.S. stock markets after disappointing data out of China increased worries about the economy of the world's largest energy consumer. May crude fell 81 cents to $102.83 a barrel, May gasoline fell 1.06 cents to $3.34 a gallon, and May distillates gained a fraction to close at $3.17 a gallon.
Natural gas futures eased Friday, setting a fourth straight fresh 10-year low. May nat gas fell a fraction to $1.98.
Wall Street ended the week lower as the rising cost of insuring Spanish debt against default increased worries about Europe’s financial health, sparking a selloff in financial stocks. The Dow dropped 136 to close at 12,849, the Nasdaq closed at 3,011, down 44, and the S&P 500 fell 17 to close at 1,370.
|