
U.S. grain and soybean futures fell on March 6 as coronavirus spread triggered broad selling in commodities and equities. Oil prices dropped over 8% to their lowest since mid-2017, pressuring corn through its ethanol link; May corn closed at $3.76, soybeans at $8.91-1/4 and wheat at $5.15-3/4 per bushel.
Lower crude oil weakens ethanol economics and pulls corn lower, while risk-off trade and demand fears weigh on feed grains and oilseeds.
After 301 past bearish macro events, Corn moved a median -0.1% over 5 sessions (47% higher; middle half -2.2% to +1.3%), and +0.2% over 20.
After 273 past bearish macro events, Soybeans moved a median -0.4% over 5 sessions (44% higher; middle half -2.4% to +1.4%), and -0.5% over 20.
After 69 past bearish macro events, Wheat (SRW) moved a median -0.5% over 5 sessions (35% higher; middle half -2.6% to +0.8%), and -0.7% over 20.
After 565 past bearish macro events, Crude Oil (WTI) moved a median -1.4% over 5 sessions (41% higher; middle half -5.9% to +3.0%), and -0.5% over 20.
Moves of each commodity's benchmark from the last close before the event. Historical reads pool past events of the same kind; they describe what happened, not what will. Not investment advice.
Reports oil fell over 8% on March 6 to its lowest since 2017 amid broad coronavirus-driven selling, confirming the move and its sentiment backdrop.
March 6 coronavirus-driven broad selling and an oil drop to multi-year lows set up the downside momentum, with soybeans closing lower into the weekend.