Grain Spreads: Day Two Short Covering in Wheat

Sean LuskGeneral Commentary

Commentary

The wheat sector gave the bulls a little hope today with higher closes across the board for the second consecutive session. Rumors that China was in buying some Chicago and/or KC wheat and that attracted short covering from speculators in my view. So far, the buying interest from China has exceeded projections and further confirmed purchases would signal a crop in worst quality potentially (in China) or smaller size than the USDA or other analysts have forecast. US wheat futures continue to be the speculators vehicle of choice, yet Russia is the imported wheat of choice. The significant declines in OI seen yesterday with Chicago down 16K contracts, KC down 5K contracts, and Minneapolis down 1.5K contracts were apparent short covering in my view with the timeframe of usually seeing three days of fund covering in a row. Regardless, the funds also appear to be liquidating short positions at these price levels, just in case this is finally the bottom, although we’ve been here many times before. Keep in mind funds have defended their positions on rallies previously that ended up with wheat trading to new lows. Will that trend stay intact? Chicago wheat needs to take out. 

the 6.04/05 area to trade higher in my view and may need more than a end of month short covering story to do so. A close under 5.52 basis March could send the market to recent lows at 5.40 and all the way down to a gap at 5.08 which occurred in 2020. 

Trade Ideas

Futures-N/A

Options-N/A

Risk/Reward

Futures-N/A

Options-N/A

Please join me for a free grain and livestock webinar every Thursday at 3pm Central. We discuss supply, demand, weather, and the charts. Sign Up Now

Sean Lusk

Vice President Commercial Hedging Division

Walsh Trading

312 957 8103

888 391 7894 toll free

312 256 0109 fax

[email protected]

www.walshtrading.com

Walsh Trading

53 W Jackson Suite 750

Chicago, Il 60604

Walsh Trading, Inc. is registered as a Guaranteed Introducing Broker with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and an NFA Member.
Futures and options trading involves substantial risk and is not suitable for all investors. Therefore, individuals should carefully consider their financial condition in deciding whether to trade. Option traders should be aware that the exercise of a long option will result in a futures position. The valuation of futures and options may fluctuate, and as a result, clients may lose more than their original investment. The information contained on this site is the opinion of the writer or was obtained from sources cited within the commentary. The impact on market prices due to seasonal or market cycles and current news events may already be reflected in market prices.PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS. All information, communications, publications, and reports, including this specific material, used and distributed by Walsh Trading, Inc. (“WTI”) shall be construed as a solicitation for entering into a derivatives transaction. WTI does not distribute research reports, employ research analysts, or maintain a research department as defined in CFTC Regulation 1.71.