Good Morning!
We kickoff Super Bowl Monday with ISM Non-Manufacturing Index at 9:00 A.M. followed by Export Inspections at 10:00 A.M. Informa Economic, a private analytics firm, lowered estimates on Corn and Soybean crops in Argentina. They pegged the Corn crop at 37 million tonnes, down 5 million from its prior forecast, noting below normal rainfall. The Soybean production down to 51 million tonnes, down 3.5 million tons from the previous estimate while raising the Wheat crop to 18.5 million tonnes up from 18 million previously. On Thursday we will have the February USDA report. All the news did not spillover to the futures markets with the March Corn currently trading at 358, which is 3 ½ cents lower. The trading range has been 359 ½ to 358.
On the Ethanol front the February contract moves closer to expiration, while the March contract is currently trading at 1.428, which is .015 lower. The trading range has been 1.429 to 1.428 with 3 contracts traded and Open Interest at 1,585 contracts. The market is currently showing 1 bid @ 1.434 and 1 offer @ 1.445.
On the Crude Oil front we are trading a little easier as a higher U.S. dollar, lower Stock Market and Interest Rise on investors’ minds. We are hearing whisper numbers of draws on tomorrow’s API Energy Stocks. In the overnight electronic session the March Crude Oil is currently trading at 6485, which is 60 points lower. The trading range has been 6540 to 6462.
On the Natural Gas front the market is trading lower with the March contract las at 2.806, which is 4 cents lower. The trading range has been 2.880 to 2.801 so far. Weather forecast differ of how long we will be blanketed with Arctic weather but seem to agree on a below-normal cooler March as we inch closer to spring.
Have a Great Trading Day!