Snapshot of news and events for today
Quick links |
* Financial markets * Ag futures * USDA reports this week * NWS forecast * Major media * Ag media * Political humorists |
| Financial markets | Major world indicators |
Japanese trading...
- The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average closed down 25.08 points, or 0.3 percent, to 8,832.85.
- The dollar was at 100.54 yen from 100.64 yen.
Monday’s U.S. Markets...
- The Dow Jones Industrial Average sank 41.74, or 0.5 percent, to 7,975.85 -- down 9.1 percent this year.. The Nasdaq Composite Index fell 15.16, or 0.9 percent, to 1,606.71 -- up 1.9 percent for the year.
- The 10-year Treasury note yield rose to 2.939 percent from 2.909 percent late Friday.
- The dollar was at 101.07 yen from 100.27 yen, while the euro was at $1.3407 from $1.3488 late Friday.
| Ag futures | Yesterday‘s action and overnight indicators |
- Overnight trade: Check the link for updated prices and/or settlements.
What happened the prior trading day...
- Corn: Futures settled 1 to 2 cents higher following a choppy day of trade.
- Soybeans: Futures were firmer overnight, but faced profit-taking pressure on the open due to negative outside markets.
- Wheat: Futures favored losses through the day, but saw periods of choppy trade.
- Cotton: Futures posted slight losses and finished in the middle of the day;s trading range.
- Lean Hogs: Lean hog futures favored a weaker tone through the day amid mixed trade, but saw selling intensify into the close to finish 32 cents to $1.20 lower, with the May contract posting the stiffest decline.
- Live Cattle: Live cattle futures closed mixed, although all but the far-deferred contracts finished slightly higher.
Scheduled USDA Reports & Summaries This Week | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Agricultural Marketing Service = (A) | ||||
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
April 6 Grain Inspections (A) | 7 | 8 Broiler Hatchery (N) | 9 U.S. Export Sales (F) | 10 Livestock and Meat Trade Data (E) |
| Overview | Other reports affecting agriculture |
| Major media | Links to top news reports with potential U.S. ag impact |
Wall Street Journal (subscription to site required for access)
- Central Banks Enhance Fed’s Currency Lending The Fed, Bank of England, European Central Bank, Swiss National Bank and Bank of Japan announced that now the Fed will be able to lend pounds, euros, yen and Swiss francs to U.S. institutions with pressing short-term needs for loans in those currencies. The new swap lines allow the Fed to borrow as much as 80 billion euros, 10 trillion yen, 30 billion pounds sterling and 40 billion Swiss francs to provide to U.S. banks if needed.
- Bailout Man Turns the Screws The item profiles James Lambright, the chief investment officer of the Troubled Asset Relief Program. How the item describes him: Tall, bald and blunt, Mr. Lambright has gained a reputation within the government for his tough negotiating style, which at times has irked those seeking aid and ruffled the feathers of some colleagues.
- Japan Sets $100 Billion Stimulus Plan The plan surprised some by its size, with observers agreeing it reflects the fact that the Japanese government is committed to trying to pull their economy upright. It may also be a move with an eye on boosting the popularity of the current prime minister.
- Fuel-Efficiency Technology Gives Fiat a Boost in Bargaining to Acquire Chrysler Stake . The company is one of the leaders in creating more fuel-efficieitn cars, something that could give it a leg up in the negotiations with Chrysler that have basically been “ordered” by the U.S. government.
Related item:
Ford Trims Debt 28%, Pressuring GM and Chrysler
New York Times (registration to site required)
- Muted Signs of Life in the Credit Markets Observers note that it appears credit markets are indeed starting to function more, in part due to efforts by the government to foster such activity. Markets for bundled securities are also showing signs of life. But there is also a view that the signs of a freed up credit situation could be fleeting.
Related item:
Poll Finds New Optimism on Economy Since Inauguration
- Economy Falling Years Behind Full Speed The article says a considerable chunk of the country’s infrastructure has been “mothballed” as a result of the recession, and that will take time to be brought back on line when things pick up. The item points out the following: “Only once since the Great Depression has there been such a severe loss of output — in the 1981-82 recession — and after that downturn, it was seven years before the economy regained the lost production.”
- Simplicity Becomes a Selling Point Foodmakers Emphasize Uncomplicated Ingredients. Food makers are trimming ingredient lists for products, but they’re also using those steps as a marketing tool to consumers. Some see it as health concerns, food safety concerns and more converging together.
- Gates Seeks Sharp Turn In Spending Defense Budget Focuses On Lower-Tech Weapons The Defense Secretary is proposing a shift away from spending on high-tech weapons and toward tools for soldiers to use on the ground. Some say this reflects the fact that the days of soaring defense budgets are a thing of the past.
Related items:
Contracting Boom Could Fizzle Out
Pentagon Chief Calls for Cuts; Congress Opens Fire
Gates Proposal Reveals His Alienation From Procurement System
| Ag media | Monitoring the countryside |
Fargo Forum (North Dakota)
- Hoeven names Goehring new North Dakota ag commissioner After twice losing in the race to be North Dakota Ag Commissioner, Doug Goehring is now in the post after the departure of Roger Johnson to head the National Farmers Union.
Des Moines Register (Iowa)
- Cold, wet weather delays spring planting in Iowa It’s a slow start for fieldwork in the state this spring.
| Laughing with, not at | From political humorists |
Jay Leno: “See, a lot of Americans don’t understand the role of the Queen,” who “is merely a figurehead. She wields no real political power,” or, “as we call it in this country, the Vice President.”
Jay Leno: “Well, you know what’s interesting over the years” is “to watch the contrasting styles of US presidents when they meet royalty. For example,” President Obama “always refers to the Queen as ‘Her Majesty,’ whereas President Bush used to call her ‘The Queenster.’”
David Letterman: Top Ten Signs Your Kid Is In Al Qaeda: “10. His name: Mike Jenkins -- now goes by Mike bin Jenkins. 9. Runs inside for cover whenever a satellite flies overhead. 8. His chemistry tutor? Chemical Ali. 7. If he doesn’t like what’s for dinner, he throws a shoe at you. 6. On invitation to his birthday party, he wrote ‘No Kurds.’ 5. Hides in his room and communicates through randomly-released audiotaped messages. 4. Yearbook declares him ‘Most likely to defeat the American jackals in the name of Allah.’ 3. Asks to go to sleepaway camp in Peshawar, Pakistan. 2. Happiest day of his life: When Ayman Al Zawahiri showed up at his Bar Mitzvah. 1. Instead of Hannah Montana, he has a crush on Pooja Fallujah.”
