Articles for category: Most Popular

March 29, 2025

Ron Finklestien

Exploring Resilient Human Capital Management Stocks During Market Volatility

HCM Stocks Draw Investor Interest Amid Market Volatility As trade war concerns and unexpectedly high Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) data triggered a drop in broader market indexes on Friday, human capital management (HCM) stocks are notably garnering investor interest. Companies like Paychex PAYX and Automatic Data Processing ADP, particularly those offering payroll services, could remain insulated from tariff impacts due to sustained demand driven by an unemployment rate near pre-pandemic levels at about 4%. Image Source: Federal Reserve Economic Data Insights from Paychex CEO on Labor Dynamics John Gibson, CEO of Paychex, appeared on CNBC’s Mad Money this week to

March 29, 2025

Ron Finklestien

“Brazil’s Rain Predictions and Weak Real Drive Down Sugar Prices”

May Sugar Prices Decline Amid Weather Changes and Forecasts May NY world sugar #11 (SBK25) today is down -0.15 (-0.79%), and May London ICE white sugar #5 (SWK25) is down -1.90 (-0.35%). Sugar prices have continued their downward trend, reaching two-week lows. A forecast of rain in Brazil has helped ease concerns over dryness, leading to downward pressure on sugar prices. Meteorologist Climatempo predicts widespread showers across Brazil’s sugar-growing regions through next week. Commodity Bulletin: From crude oil to coffee, this FREE newsletter is for industry pros and rookies alike. The Brazilian real (^USDBRL) fell to a two-week low today,

March 28, 2025

Ron Finklestien

“Friday Highlights: Slight Decline in Hog Markets”

Lean Hog Futures Decline Amid Lower USDA Prices and Inventory Lean hog futures faced a downturn of 5 to 25 cents across most contracts on Friday. The USDA’s national average base hog negotiated price fell by 58 cents, reaching $87.91 as reported in the Friday morning update. Meanwhile, the CME Lean Hog Index held steady at $89.13 from the previous day, March 26. Hogs & Pigs Inventory Update The latest Hogs & Pigs data revealed a revised December 1 inventory, showing a decrease of 940,000 head. As of March 1, the hog inventory totaled 74.512 million head, reflecting a year-over-year

March 28, 2025

Ron Finklestien

Variable Weather Patterns Drive Natural Gas Prices Upward

April Natural Gas Futures Experience Modest Gains Amid Weather Uncertainty April Nymex natural gas (NGJ25) closed on Friday at +0.140, representing an increase of +3.57%. Weather Forecast Influences Market Movement Natural gas prices saw moderate gains on Friday as a mixed weather outlook triggered short covering in futures. According to NatGasWeather.com, above-normal temperatures are anticipated from the Rockies to the Atlantic Ocean between April 4-11, while the West Coast is expected to face below-normal temperatures. Market Overview and Storage Projections Earlier this month, natural gas prices reached a two-year high, driven by indications that U.S. gas storage levels could remain

March 28, 2025

Ron Finklestien

Hogs Experience Slight Decline on Friday

Lean Hog Futures Decline as Market Data Shows Mixed Trends Lean hog futures closed lower on Friday, with prices dropping 30 to 40 cents for the nearby contracts. In the USDA’s afternoon report, the national average base hog price increased by 21 cents, reaching $88.30. Meanwhile, the CME Lean Hog Index remained steady at $89.13, unchanged from the previous day. Commitment of Traders Data Shows Decline in Long Positions According to the weekly Commitment of Traders data from the CFTC, traders reduced their net long positions in lean hog futures and options, cutting back a total of 5,343 contracts as

March 28, 2025

Ron Finklestien

Cattle Market Shows Decline as Friday Trading Ends

Live Cattle Futures Decline Amid Slow Cash Trade Activity Live cattle futures adjusted lower as the week drew to a close, with front-month contracts down between 70 and 95 cents. Cash trade showed sluggish movement during the week, largely settling between $209 and $210 in the South and $213 to $214 in the North. Dressed cattle prices in the North were reported in the range of $335 to $345. Feeder cattle futures also slipped as the week ended, with contracts experiencing declines of 60 cents to $1.35. The CME Feeder Cattle Index dropped by 86 cents on March 27, bringing

March 28, 2025

Ron Finklestien

Corn Bulls Rally Stronger as Market Nears Close

Weekly Corn Market Overview: Prices and Trader Positions The corn market concluded Friday’s trading session with front month contracts increasing by 2 to 4 cents. However, December corn dropped by 1 ¼ cents. Over the week, May corn faced a decline of 11 cents, with December slipping 8 ½ cents. The CmdtyView national average cash corn price rose by 3 ½ cents, settling at $4.18 1/2. Market Dynamics and Commitment of Traders Data Recent Weekly Commitment of Traders data revealed that managed money has reduced their net long position in corn futures and options, cutting back by an additional 32,663

March 28, 2025

Ron Finklestien

Wheat Prices Decline as the Weekend Approaches

Wheat Market Sees Declines Across Multiple Exchanges The wheat market experienced declines on Friday across three major exchanges. Chicago SRW futures fell by 3 to 5 cents during the session. Leading the downward trend were Kansas City HRW contracts, which dropped 14 to 15 cents. Meanwhile, MPLS spring wheat saw decreases ranging from 6 to 8 cents for the front months. Commitment of Traders Report Insights The Commitment of Traders data released by the CFTC on Friday afternoon revealed that speculators in Chicago wheat increased their net short positions by 11,919 contracts, totaling 92,587 contracts as of Tuesday. In Kansas

March 28, 2025

Ron Finklestien

Cotton Prices Dip Heading into the Weekend

Cotton Futures Decline as Managed Money Increases Short Positions Cotton futures ended Friday with losses ranging from 18 to 24 points. However, nearby May futures still gained 163 points over the week. In contrast, crude oil futures dropped by 88 cents per barrel, coinciding with a $0.292 decrease in the US dollar index. Trader Activity and Market Insights The latest CFTC Commitment of Traders report revealed that managed money added 4,193 contracts to its net short position in cotton futures and options as of March 25. Consequently, their net short total reached 73,810 contracts by Tuesday. Export Commitments and Planting

March 28, 2025

Ron Finklestien

Wheat Prices Decline This Friday

Wheat Market Declines Amid Forecasted Rain Showers The wheat market is experiencing ongoing weakness as of Friday. Chicago SRW futures have fallen by 8 to 9 cents at midday. Kansas City HRW contracts are notably declining as well, with losses between 17 to 18 cents. In the MPLS spring wheat sector, prices are down 7 to 10 cents across the front months. Rain is forecasted for the upcoming week, likely totaling 1 to 3 inches in many areas of SRW country. In contrast, HRW regions are primarily dry, except for parts of the eastern Southern Plains. Commodity Bulletin: This FREE