We hit a 3 ½ week in corn high on concerns we will have a hot and dry spell and that is driving the market. If we have a positive good-to-excellent Crop Progress data from the USDA, we could see weaker fresh longs exit the market. Today’s data could factor largely with traders are already looking into harvest prospects after a lower than estimated planting number in last weeks acreage data and weather will be in place with traders jockeying for position. December Corn is currently trading at 357 ½ which is 4 cents higher. The trading range has been 360 to 357.
On the ethanol front it is Last Trading Day for the July contract, with 16 open positions that will need to be liquidated. I anticipate higher trade due to the strength in corn and the stock market. There were no trades posted in the overnight electronic session. The August contract settled at 1.295 and is currently showing 2 bids @ 1.270 and 2 offers @ 1.295 with light Open Interest at 75 contracts.
Crude oil is attempting to punch through $41 a barrel and stay there. The next objective would be $45 a barrel and with increasing demand and production levels decreasing, not to mention slowing imports, and more positive economic and employment data in this short period of time with the pandemic making it feel really long we should see prices climb. August Crude Oil is currently trading at $40.67 which is 2 tics higher. The trading range has been $41.08 to $40.20.
The natural gas market is trading weather and after being oversold for seasonal prices we had a spike in prices. We will have to see how long this heat wave will last and give a much needed boost in prices for producers. August Natural Gas is currently trading at 1.829 which is 9 ½ cents higher. The trading range has been 1.864 to 1.733.