After the Bell | April 22, 2022
Corn: July corn futures fell 6 1/4 cents to $7.89, up 5 1/4 cents for the week. December corn fell 14 1/4 cents to $7.24 1/2, the contract’s third decline in the past four sessions. Corn futures disregarded fresh export business as traders booked profits following a run to contract highs earlier this week. USDA’s next weekly crop condition report Monday likely will show farmers made little planting progress this week as cool, wet weather persisted.
Soybeans: July soybeans fell 31 1/2 cents to $16.88, still up 22 3/4 cents for the week. July soymeal fell $11.80 to $452.10. May soyoil ended at 83.26 cents, a record close for a nearby contract. Soymeal futures led soybeans sharply lower amid profit-taking following strong gains earlier this week. Nearby soyoil gained after Indonesia announced plans to ban palm oil exports to control soaring domestic prices.
Wheat: July SRW wheat fell 1 1/4 cents to $10.75 1/4, down 29 1/4 cents for the week. July HRW wheat rose 6 cents to $11.49 1/2, still down 7 3/4 cents for the week. July spring wheat fell 8 1/4 cents to $11.62 3/4. Sluggish export demand kept SRW wheat futures under pressure, while drought and poor crop conditions in the U.S. Plains supported HRW prices.
Cotton: July cotton futures fell 204 points to 135.85 cents per pound, down 486 points for the week, while new-crop December fell 102 points to 119.16 cents. Cotton futures sank sharply this week on continued signs that high prices are curbing export demand .
Cattle: June live cattle fell $1.475 to $138.425, up $2.00 for the week. May feeder futures fell 97.5 cents to $163.875, a weekly gain of $2.10. Stronger cash prices lifted live cattle futures this week, but a smaller-than-expected 0.4% decline in USDA’s estimated March feedlot placements may pressure the market early next week. Choice beef cutout values fell $2.26 today to $267.91, down from $272.62 at the end of last week, while live steers averaged $143.00, up nearly $2.00 from last week's average.
Hogs: June lean hogs rose $1.60 to $118.775, up 30 cents for the week. Futures rebounded from three down days behind support from cash fundamentals. The CME lean hog index rose 32 cents today to $101.25, the highest since April 4, and is expected to gain another 10 cents Monday. Pork cutout values ended the week at $111.28, up from $110.21 at the end of last week. Movement was stronger at 336 loads.
