GRAINS-US soybeans on track for weekly gain on weather woes, China demand optimism
BEIJING, June 26 (Reuters) - Chicago soybean futures came under pressure on Friday from weaker crude oil and a firmer dollar, but remained on course for a second weekly gain as hot U.S. weather raised crop concerns and traders watched for signs of renewed Chinese demand.
Corn and wheat were both headed for weekly declines.
FUNDAMENTALS
* The most-active soybean contract on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) Sv1 was down 0.32% at $11.53-1/4 a bushel, as of 0149 GMT, while corn Cv1 edged 0.12% lower to $4.14-1/4 a bushel. Wheat Wv1 lost 0.71% to $5.97-1/4 a bushel.
* Weaker crude oil prices continued to weigh on soybeans and corn, with both crops used as feedstocks in biofuels. O/R
* A stronger dollar added pressure to grain and oilseed markets by making U.S. supplies less competitive for overseas buyers.
* The National Weather Service forecast temperatures nearing 100 degrees Fahrenheit this weekend, reaching as far north as the upper Midwest and as far east as the Carolinas. The above-normal temperatures are expected to stretch from the Plains to the Atlantic Coast through July 4.
* Brazil's Agroconsult on Thursday raised its estimate for the country's 2025/26 key second-corn crop by 3.4%, though the forecast remained below the previous season's record harvest after adverse weather curbed potential.
* The European Commission cut its forecast on Thursday for usable production of common wheat, or soft wheat, in the European Union in 2026/27 to 126.3 million metric tons from 126.9 million a month ago.
* Commodity funds were net buyers of CBOT corn, soy and wheat futures, traders said on Thursday. CBOT/FUNDS
MARKET NEWS
* Global stocks rose on Thursday as strong earnings from chipmakers lifted sentiment, although investors remained wary about stretched valuations for AI-related shares, while the dollar hovered near a one-year high. MKTS/GLOB
DATA/EVENTS (GMT)
1000 France Unemp Class-A SA May
1400 US U Mich Sentiment Final June
