By Kirk Maltais


-- Corn for December delivery rose 1% to $4.14 3/4 a bushel on the Chicago Board of Trade on Friday, trading higher as demand prospects for U.S. corn appear to look better than previously expected.

-- Soybeans for January delivery rose 0.1% to $9.95 1/4 a bushel.

-- Wheat for December delivery fell 0.6% to $5.67 1/4 a bushel.


HIGHLIGHTS


Rosier Picture: CBOT corn was up throughout the day, with an improved outlook for demand among traders providing support.

"Corn can find moderate stability given positive export and corn for ethanol interest," said Rich Nelson of Allendale Inc.

Earlier this week, the EIA reported a fall in ethanol stockpiles along with consistently high average daily production. Weekly export sales reported by the USDA were also supportive, down from the previous week but above 2 million metric tons on the strength of sales to unknown destinations and Mexico.


Losing the Plot: Grain futures started the day higher, but lost steam as the day progressed.

"CBOT markets are off session highs as buying enthusiasm wanes on rallies ahead of the U.S. election next week," said AgResource in a note. "Volume is mediocre, and a limp into the weekend is anticipated."

Trading has been limited this week ahead of the election. Uncertainty around the potential result caused many traders to hang back until the results of the election are known.


INSIGHT


Washed Out: Precipitation in the U.S. Corn Belt this weekend is expected to continue into next week, according to data from StoneX.

Nearly all of the U.S. Corn Belt is being affected by drought conditions, according to the latest data from the U.S. Drought Monitor.

While not an immediate concern for corn and soybeans, a dry winter in the Midwest and Plains could lead to low soil moisture levels in the spring. Rainfall is important for the winter wheat crop, with many of those growing areas experiencing extreme drought.


Best Foot Forward: The USDA reported a fresh round of flash sales before the CBOT opened, led by fresh corn sales to Mexico. USDA said 781,322 metric tons of corn were sold for delivery there, with 715,800 tons for delivery during the 2024-2025 marketing year and 65,532 tons for delivery in 2025-26.

Additionally, 132,000 tons of soybeans were sold to China for delivery in 2024-25, and 198,000 tons were sold to unknown destinations in 2024-25. USDA said 30,000 tons of soybean oil were sold to India for 2024-25 delivery.

Stronger export sales have been a supportive factor for recent trading of grain futures.


AHEAD


-- Zoetis Inc. is scheduled to release its third-quarter earnings report at 7 a.m. EST Monday.

-- The USDA is due to release its weekly grains export inspections report at 11 a.m. EST Monday.

-- The USDA is scheduled to release its weekly Crop Progress Report at 4 p.m. EST Monday.

-- Andersons Inc. is due to release its third-quarter earnings report at 4 p.m. EST Monday.


Write to Kirk Maltais at kirk.maltais@wsj.com


(END) Dow Jones Newswires

11-01-24 1524ET