Today’s Market Report

Markets 12/21/15 10:00am
Dow +82.95
S&P +11.97
Nasdaq +32.90

Crude recently hit 11 year lows on this morning as oil companies continue to aggressively stock pile supplies.

Grain Markets 12/21/15 9:58am
Mar Corn -3’4 @ $3.71’0
Jan Beans -3’2 @ $8.89’0

Commodities in general are negative, and the time of year does exactly help us.  But there is definitely some good news.  Gas prices are now at a 6 year lows averaging 1.955 per gallon nationwide.  This is the first time in six years that the national average has fallen below $2 per gallon.  So the silver lining is the opportunity to hedge your fuel either by using brokerage, or by filling your on farm fuel storage.  By doing so you potentially lock in a savings on a portion of your fuel expenses.

Corn/Beans nothing new to add for this partial week.  With Christmas upon us I would expect to see heavily reduced trade volume this week.  Not likely to see any opportunities present themselves until after the first of the year.  We continue in the tight range bound range I seem to mention every week.  Negativity does not seem to shake the markets, however positive news sure could.  So lets wait for the headline.

For Fun – According to a Gallup poll, Americans plan to spend $830 on Christmas gifts this year on average, up from $720 last year.  Although the average amount all Americans expect to spend is $830, the figure rises to $908 when excluding those who won’t spend anything.   In other words eliminating the people who do not shop for Christmas.

Christmas spending intentions vary greatly by household income. Americans living in households earning $75,000 or more per year plan to spend an average of $1,227 on Christmas gifts this season. This drops to $786 among middle-income earners and to $460 among those earning less than $30,000.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/186620/americans-plan-spending-lot-christmas.aspx

Greg Mockenhaupt

ProEdge Risk Management Consultant

P: (402) 685-5613 | Greg.Mockenhaupt@cvacoop.com

1007 County Road O

Oakland, NE 68045

www.cvacoop.com