Reading Time: 3 minutes June 29 — All markets were rather quiet today with no real news to influence them in either direction. Financial markets were mixed to up a bit and grains were mixed to down, as traders stayed on the sidelines awaiting Tuesday’s U.S. Department of Agriculture acreage and stocks report. The Canadian dollar dropped 0.32 cents, […] Read more
Wittal: Take care of your year-end paperwork
Wittal: Consider your contract obligations
Reading Time: 2 minutes June 26 — Financial markets were very quiet today as no real news came out that was worthy of trading to any great extent. The U.S. dollar dropped half a cent today and the Canadian dollar climbed half a cent, closing at US86.83 cents, down 1.3 cents from last week’s close. The Dow Jones June […] Read more
Wittal: Canola prices struggle as conditions improve
Reading Time: 2 minutes June 25 — Financial markets found some strength and finished with solid gains today. The U.S. dollar dropped two-tenths of a cent today and the Canadian dollar dropped half a cent, closing at US86.36 cents . The Dow Jones June quote closed up 172 points at 8,472. Crude oil closed up $1.56 at US$70.23 per […] Read more
Wittal: Head scab hits U.S. winter wheat
Reading Time: 2 minutes June 24 — Financial markets were mixed and some rebounded a little today as reports claiming we have seen the worst of the recession came out this morning. The U.S. dollar regained three-quarters of a cent from yesterday’s losses and the Canadian dollar was down 0.1 cents, closing at US86.88 cents. The Dow Jones June […] Read more
Wittal: StatsCan numbers yield few surprises
Reading Time: 3 minutes June 23 — After putting on approximately 1,800 km in four days of riding across southeastern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan, and getting rained on for two of the four days, I can safely say there were some real good downpours around Wilcox through Moose Jaw to Swift Current, as it seemed like we got rained […] Read more
Wittal: Rains not yet dampening canola futures
Reading Time: 2 minutes June 18 — I am off on a road trip today until Tuesday so my report is based on values currently trading today before the close. There will be no reports Friday or Monday. Financial markets are up so far today but trade has been mixed. The U.S. dollar is currently up four-tenths of a […] Read more
Wittal: Barley traders await new ICE contract
Reading Time: 2 minutes June 17 — Financial markets were mixed, starting the day off in a positive mood and then losing ground as the day went on to close with small losses. The U.S. dollar fell back another four-tenths of a cent and the Canadian dollar gained slightly. The Dow Jones June quote closed down 27 points at […] Read more
Wittal: Rains in forecast weigh on futures
Reading Time: 2 minutes June 16 — Financial markets continue to be in a defensive mode as they again closed with triple-digit losses. The U.S. dollar fell back four-tenths of a cent and the Canadian dollar also fell slightly. Hopes for a turnaround Tuesday did not materialize, which then prompted funds to continue to liquidate positions today, causing further […] Read more
Wittal: Falling loonie slows canola’s slide
Reading Time: 2 minutes June 15 — It was a very down day all around. The U.S. dollar rose over a full cent, which sent financial markets into negative territory with triple-digit losses. However, the drop in the Canadian dollar today did help to temper canola losses. The Canadian dollar closed down 1.2 cents at US88.21 cents. The Dow […] Read more
Wittal: Growing conditions leave markets uncertain
Reading Time: 2 minutes June 12 — The U.S. financial markets have ended the week mixed to down, with no real news to focus the markets either way. The U.S. dollar has jumped 0.7 cents today, which has tempered any optimism in the financial sector to end up the week. Uncertainty in the markets led to profit-taking in crude […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
