Chicago Mercantile Exchange cattle futures fell for a third consecutive day on Thursday in profit-taking and technical selling setback following recent highs and amid some weaker-than-expected cash market sales this week.
U.S. soybean futures rebounded on late-session technical buying to end firm on Thursday after concerns about a lack of sales to top importer China had dragged the market to 3-1/2 week lows.
U.S. corn futures fell from a six-week peak on Wednesday on profit-taking and technical selling after three sessions of gains as an expected record-large U.S. harvest weighed on the market.
U.S. soybean futures fell to a 1-1/2 week low on Tuesday as China continued to shun purchases from the United States and as forecasts for improved rains in the coming days reinforced expectations for a sizeable Midwest harvest.
Chicago Board of Trade corn futures firmed on Friday on support from strong international demand, concerns over disease in the U.S. Midwest and technical support, analysts said.
Chicago soybean futures came under pressure on Thursday on a lack of Chinese demand for the U.S. oilseed while corn futures ticked higher on strong export sales data, analysts said.
Chicago wheat futures lost ground on Wednesday, with prices weighed down by large global harvests, favorable weather in growing areas, and a strong U.S. dollar, analysts said.
Chicago corn futures ticked lower on Tuesday on selling pressure as soybeans chopped up and down, though expectations of a bumper U.S. harvest limited the upside in prices, analysts said.
Chicago soybeans fell on Monday after hitting two-month highs on Friday, as industry players lost confidence that Chinese buyers would purchase U.S. soybeans, while dealers assessed exemptions granted to U.S. crude oil refiners for use of soy-based biofuels.
Chicago soybeans rose further on Friday to a two-month peak as brisk weekly exports, hopes that China will revert to buying U.S. crops and a rally in soyoil offset supply pressure from favorable U.S. field conditions.