RCM Ag Services

Category: Futures

16 Jun 2025
Agriculture, CME, Futures, Hedging, Housing, Lumber, Market Commentary, Market Updates, Research, Risk Management, Weekly Prices rcmagserv 0 comment

LEONARD LUMBER REPORT: Futures were up $20 for the week

The Lumber Market:

Futures were up $20 for the week. It is a market doing a good job in developing price discovery in a chaos environment. Saturday, I  was asked to be on a call with an equities team who wanted to know what was causing the uptick. These guys a very inflation sensitive. I explained that between the CVD, AD and, tariffs prices from Canada will be going up. To what level remains to be seen. They were quick to point out that the US and European capacity could be increased. I pointed out that the quarters it would take to be a factor is too far off to put into a 2025 equation. What about demand? We are here because demand has been flat for 3 years. A macro look shows that we are fighting for every dollar higher as usual. July hit 710.00 back in early March. The futures market is actually near its low end of the range. We are flat. The trade today is trying to find a new equilibrium trading range. This is not a supply driven rally, at least not yet. It isn’t a demand push either. The rally is spec shorts covering and short funds covering via the roll. Nothing more, nothing less. I do see and uptick in the industry hedging up here. Good move.

Technical:

The RSI is 75.60. A grind to the next points of 642 and then 655 are in reach. Once we hit the gap we may have to take a closer look. The 200 day is at 618.50. History has shown us that this ends in a quick thud, so a risk management plans need to be in place. Just stair step in higher. There is no need to rush into it. The marketplace should drag the cash marginally higher.

Daily Bulletin:

Southern Yellow Pine:

The Commitment of Traders:

About the Leonard Report:

The Leonard Lumber Report is a column that focuses on the lumber futures market’s highs and lows and everything else in between. Our very own, Brian Leonard, risk analyst, will provide weekly commentary on the industry’s wood product sectors.

Brian Leonard

bleonard@rcmam.com

312-761-2636

13 Jun 2025
Agriculture, CME, Corn, Cotton, Dow Jones, Futures, Grain, Hedging, Market Commentary, Market Updates, Research, Risk Management, Soybeans, USDA Report, Weather, Weekly Prices rcmagserv 0 comment

AG MARKET UPDATE: APRIL 29 – JUNE 13

Corn continues to struggle with any rallies as you can see in the chart below every recent high is lower than the previous. The June 12th USDA report was lackluster with no real changes and not enough good news to give the bulls help. With the crop planted, 75% good/excellent, and non-threatening growing weather ahead, the bulls need a weather issue and/or positive trade news to change the direction of the market. The next major report is the June 30th Stocks and Acreage Report that tends to cause some volatility.

Via Barchart

Soybeans received great news to end the week with better-than-expected biofuel mandates from the Trump administration. You can see how the news was received after a lackluster USDA report earlier in the week in the chart below. Beans will need to breakthrough recent highs or at least stay above the moving averages they broke through to keep some positive momentum as they are where they were back in February which is at least better than corn’s price movement. Planting should wrap up soon and good growing weather will move this crop along. Beans received one piece of good news in the biofuel mandates as they await news on any deal with China to help push higher.

Via Barchart

Equity Markets

Markets have settled down after another V shape recovery following the tariff driven dip at the beginning of April. The leveling off slightly below all-time highs shows that the market is hesitant in what to expect moving forward but acknowledges that the initial reaction to tariffs with negotiations ongoing were an overreaction. While the market could fail here and move lower with negative trade news the biggest domino the market is watching is China while also keeping an eye on developments in the Middle East.

Via Barchart

Other News

  • Israel and Iran’s conflict appears to be getting worse with more attacks while the US tries to position itself to lower tensions. Crude Oil prices will watch the news as a global economic slowdown vs lower production due to war would face off.
  • Cotton has been quiet with a lack of foreign demand with global economic uncertainty.

 

Drought Monitor

Here is the most recent drought monitor.

Contact an Ag Specialist Today

Whether you’re a producer, end-user, commercial operator, RCM AG Services helps protect revenues and control costs through its suite of hedging tools and network of buyers/sellers — Contact Ag Specialist Brady Lawrence today at 312-858-4049 or blawrence@rcmam.com.

 

09 Jun 2025
Agriculture, CME, Futures, Housing, Lumber, Market Commentary, Market Updates, Other News, Research, Risk Management, Weekly Prices rcmagserv 0 comment

LEONARD LUMBER REPORT: 2025 has been a year of the announcement

The Lumber Market:

2025 has been a year of the announcement. Each causing rallies. There are no supply issues or a demand push that rallies the market. The rallies are triggered by fear of less wood or higher priced wood. Neither have come into play yet, but the fear is real. That said, we are seeing each rally carrying considerably less weight than the last. My thought is that every time we get some type of verbiage thrown at us the trade steps up. It has been the same way for 3 years now. The buyers are adding to the pile each time with a “what if” attitude. They have less risk at the low cash numbers. The best risk management for the last few years has been to buy a few extra deals.

Last week we saw the attitude of a market by Wednesday entering the abyss only to get an announcement that a mill is laying off 2000 workers. That caused a short covering rally or maybe it is better to categorize it as lack of selling event. Most would agree that the margins are the tightest in almost 8 years. Everyone’s ROI is in the tank. That equates to less hedging and a more proactive exited policy of those hedges. The low trading volume allows the futures to spike up then fall. My guess for next week any support will force more hedgers out. Also, a low volume environment when the funds are rolling shorts could cause a spike. It is too hard to be short in this market. That said, I’ll bet in the long run those who did the basis and kept their discipline will go to the bank again. Fundamentals are fundamentals.

Technical:

There are two moving averages that stand out. The first is the 13-day at 596.35. The other is the 200-day at 617.60. Thursday’s trade left a gap from 598.00 to 600.50. The market has a slight sell program from an algo/fund showing up daily. Low volume does not help their strategy but does keep them in the game. That could create the selling that closes the gap from last week. On the flip side, any strength early in the week will set the 200-day as the bullseye.

There isn’t any data out there to support trend analysis. We are stuck with the technical read. The 200-day moving average is used by billion-dollar stock market companies to measure the Dow. 617.60 is the objective and we will then see if trading above it weakens some knees out there.

 

Daily Bulletin:

https://www.cmegroup.com/daily_bulletin/current/Section23_Lumber_Options.pdf

Southern Yellow Pine:

https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/agriculture/lumber-and-softs/southern-yellow-pine.volume.html

The Commitment of Traders:

https://www.cftc.gov/dea/futures/other_lf.htm

About the Leonard Report:

The Leonard Lumber Report is a column that focuses on the lumber futures market’s highs and lows and everything else in between. Our very own, Brian Leonard, risk analyst, will provide weekly commentary on the industry’s wood product sectors.

Brian Leonard

bleonard@rcmam.com

312-761-2636

19 May 2025
Agriculture, CME, Futures, Housing, Lumber, Market Commentary, Market Updates, Research, Risk Management, Weekly Prices rcmagserv 0 comment

LEONARD LUMBER REPORT: It was a good week for July futures as the cash attempt to bottom helped support it

The Lumber Market:

It was a good week for July futures as the cash attempt to bottom helped support it.  July’s struggle today  is its premium to cash. While there is a good amount of time left, the month can only get so far away from it. Futures tend to carry about a $30 premium to cash early in the cycle. It has been much greater in the recent past, but today’s appetite for risk is limited. The producer side of the industry will again try to rein in supply. Over the years they have not been able to limit supply to slow a bear market. Only when demand picked up where they able to gain back control. It is the same today. It wasn’t a week ago that the wholesalers were playing hot potato with cars of lumber. Like it or not, that is our real time view of the market. As I said before, one distressed widget looks like a thousand when you can’t get rid of it.

Monday, we come in no longer worried about the May expiration and more confidence that the lone widget is gone. We also come in with both the industry and the funds building their positions. The industry jumped their long position to 4575 up 504. The funds increased their short position to 3863 up1103. Now that was as of Tuesday, but the total open interest didn’t move much during our drama filled May expiration. With the industry longs, are those forward buys or speculative? Forward buys mean a better future. Speculation means a lot of selling at some point. The funds, well it is more defined. They will roll their longs at the end of the month and then roll their shorts two weeks later. It is like clockwork. The other thing that now comes into play is the trigger to force the short funds out. Yes, that is a thing. The 200-day moving average is 617.10. That sometimes is the point to start exiting, but it is so early to see them exit on this one.

Futures are not a perfect scientific data set, but it is the best source of price discovery. The May $93 spike is a good example of issues. The guy who sold it has to be a great trader.

Technical:

Looking at the upside, the large gap in July is in play. May’s spike went into its gap. The 655.00 to 675.00 will be looked at. It will need a lot of help but will get near it. The major issues are 1. the funds are selling and 2. the industry is very long. The market needs another sideways build up here over $600. This week will define the futures trade going further out.

 

Daily Bulletin:

https://www.cmegroup.com/daily_bulletin/current/Section23_Lumber_Options.pdf

Southern Yellow Pine:

https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/agriculture/lumber-and-softs/southern-yellow-pine.volume.html

The Commitment of Traders:

https://www.cftc.gov/dea/futures/other_lf.htm

About the Leonard Report:

The Leonard Lumber Report is a column that focuses on the lumber futures market’s highs and lows and everything else in between. Our very own, Brian Leonard, risk analyst, will provide weekly commentary on the industry’s wood product sectors.

Brian Leonard

bleonard@rcmam.com

312-761-2636

05 May 2025
Agriculture, CME, Futures, Hedging, Housing, Lumber, Market Commentary, Market Updates, Research, Risk Management, Weekly Prices rcmagserv 0 comment

LEONARD LUMBER REPORT: The futures market quietly drifted lower last week

The Lumber Market:

The futures market quietly drifted lower last week ending down $15.50. July futures have been lower 13 out of the last 14 sessions. The cash market was also weak. 2×4 was off $10 while other items went into a freefall. Cash can’t create momentum, and the futures market is honed in on that. The make up in futures is also turning bearish. We saw the industry exit 486 shorts while the funds added 402 shorts. We talked about that red flag a while back. The funds and algo’s disregard trendlines and RSI’s. I have noever seen the buy side slow the funds down when they are entering. We enter the week with fund pressure in futures and a cash theory that mills will blow and go for a while before the duties show up. I’m not a fan of the wall of wood theory, but we did fill in the holes on the last run.

A few weeks ago, we started to see an imbalance developing that could lead to higher prices. That was quickly adjusted, and we are back to normal. That quick adjustment surprised me and showed that the market has not left its typical trading pattern. When the market closes in on the duty increase, prices will adjust higher. In the short run we will continue to run inventories lower until a buy round is created. Hedging is critical. A basis trade is a good strategy.

Technical:

There is nothing friendly about the chart pattern below. May futures are sitting on the 50% retracement point. A close under 549.00 sets it up for a fall to 518.50. Now this is a weekly chart, and May is expiring so it makes it tough to trade off of. What I do see is the support again sitting near 520. Today it is in May. On the 16th. it will be in the July. The market needs some help this week to find balance again. Hedge a little and hope you lose money. I borrowed that comment, but damn is it true.

 

Daily Bulletin:

https://www.cmegroup.com/daily_bulletin/current/Section23_Lumber_Options.pdf

Southern Yellow Pine:

https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/agriculture/lumber-and-softs/southern-yellow-pine.volume.html

The Commitment of Traders:

https://www.cftc.gov/dea/futures/other_lf.htm

About the Leonard Report:

The Leonard Lumber Report is a column that focuses on the lumber futures market’s highs and lows and everything else in between. Our very own, Brian Leonard, risk analyst, will provide weekly commentary on the industry’s wood product sectors.

Brian Leonard

bleonard@rcmam.com

312-761-2636

29 Apr 2025
Agriculture, CME, Corn, Education, Futures, Grain, Hedging, Market Commentary, Market Updates, Other News, Research, Risk Management, Soybeans, USDA Report, Weather, Weekly Prices rcmagserv 0 comment

AG MARKET UPDATE: APRIL 14 – 29

Over the past two weeks, corn futures have experienced significant volatility, primarily from trade policy developments and supply and demand dynamics. In early April, the market faced pressure as the U.S. implemented tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China, prompting retaliatory measures, including a 15% tariff on U.S. corn by China. This escalation raised concerns about reduced export demand, leading to a sell-off in corn futures. However, the market rebounded when President Trump announced a delay in the implementation of tariffs on Mexican goods, alleviating fears of diminished demand from Mexico, the largest importer of U.S. corn. The market has tight US and global supplies with the recent USDA revisions resulting in a stocks-to-use ratio of 9.6%, the lowest in 3 years. South American weather remains non-threatening and US planting continues to make progress with many areas ready to get rolling in May.

Via Barchart

Soybeans have also faced sharp swings in the past two weeks, driven by global trade tensions, weather and repositioning. China’s retaliatory tariffs on US beans lead to a big drop in US exports, at the same time Brazil’s exports to China surged. Weather in some areas of Brazil has raised some concerns about a potential dip in yield but another record crop is still expected. Spec traders have started positioning a small long position after it has been beaten down so much they are hoping for a rally that could come with any US issues with planting or lower planted acres.

Via Barchart

Equity Markets

Markets have seen wild volatility this month but have calmed lately as the S&P 500 tries to hold above 5,500, a point many saw as resistance. While trade negotiations on tariffs continue with the world the market needs a stream of announcements that progress is being made as the 90-day delay will get here very quickly.

Via Barchart

Other News

  • Global wheat supplies face potential tightening through next year due to lower production in the Black Sea as the Russia Ukraine war continues on.
  • Cattle prices continue to record highs as the US headcount is the lowest level since 1951.

Drought Monitor

As planting approaches here is the most recent drought monitor.

Contact an Ag Specialist Today

Whether you’re a producer, end-user, commercial operator, RCM AG Services helps protect revenues and control costs through its suite of hedging tools and network of buyers/sellers — Contact Ag Specialist Brady Lawrence today at 312-858-4049 or blawrence@rcmam.com.

14 Apr 2025
Agriculture, CME, Corn, Education, Futures, Grain, Hedging, Market Commentary, Market Updates, Research, Risk Management, Soybeans, USDA Report, Weather, Weekly Prices rcmagserv 0 comment

AG MARKET UPDATE: MARCH 31 – APRIL 14

Old crop corn has had a strong rally over the last 2 weeks, having a 40 cent rally after trading relatively flat since its 80 cent pullback in February. While markets were rallying before President Trump’s announcement of a 90 day pause on tariffs, they liked that news to push higher. Any positive news about negotiations with Mexico would be great for corn. The April 10th crop report cut old crop stocks more than expected on increased exports by 100 million bushels, but a modest 25-million-bushel demand cut to US feed demand. US planting should accelerate this week as weather is favorable and where planting hasn’t started allow for field work to get done. Weather during planting will be the main factor if we end up having 95-96 million acres of corn planted.

Via Barchart

Soybeans have also benefited from the recent rally corn has. While the rally may be losing steam until we have a better idea on how many acres will actually be planted in the US, new crop’s rally above the 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages provides some support under a volatile market. China continuing buying beans will be important as any mass cancelations will signal trade issues in Washington. As trade negotiations continue it will be important for small wins for the ag sector in all of them who are currently buyers.

Via Barchart

Equity Markets

“Liberation Day” created sharp market selloff with the White House announcing a delay to the tariffs a week later as countries came forward wanting to negotiate. The markets are well off their highs from February as well off their lows from the post tariff announcement. As the market is in flux as they try to get a feel for what could come next for the economy (recession?) or what comes with these negotiations and China, volatility will likely remain on any headline news.

Via Barchart

Other News

  • Any progress in trade agreements with Mexico could be good for corn prices as they are our largest buyer. China needs to continue buying beans and any trade progress with them would help beans.

 

Drought Monitor

As planting approaches here is the most recent drought monitor.

Contact an Ag Specialist Today

Whether you’re a producer, end-user, commercial operator, RCM AG Services helps protect revenues and control costs through its suite of hedging tools and network of buyers/sellers — Contact Ag Specialist Brady Lawrence today at 312-858-4049 or blawrence@rcmam.com.

14 Apr 2025
Agriculture, CME, Futures, Hedging, Housing, Lumber, Market Commentary, Market Updates, Research, Risk Management, Weekly Prices rcmagserv 0 comment

LEONARD LUMBER REPORT: Futures ran up about 33% after the election. It has given back almost 25% of it since the tariff announcement

The Lumber Market:

Futures ran up about 33% after the election. It has given back almost 25% of it since the tariff announcement. The futures market is staying within the parameters of the news. We would like the inclines and declines to be more subdued, but everything we hear is vague. That has the trade pushing buttons left and right. What’s interesting is the commitment of trader’s report that is compiled Tuesday to Tuesday. As of Tuesday, Wednesday was the crazy up day, the industry added 784 longs and liquidated a whopping 1684 shorts. The funds exited 1323 longs and added 390 shorts. That is a lot of movement for a week in this contract. A couple of takeaways:

  1. Futures made a lower low after the massive, short covering by the industry.

  2. The funds started adding long in the hole last time down.

  3. The industry is seeing better activity, but the mills have wood.

  4. The elephant in the room is again a 25% tariff hanging over the market and a rise in the duty coming.

  5. The elephant is more a possibility while the real time fact is an oversupplied environment.

  6. Technically we broke the channel down. It could return to the start of 527.50. That is unlikely if you add in number 4 above to the equation.

The futures market is a trading textbook. The industry is in sync and the funds are not. Under these circumstances, look for this oversupplied market to find some footing. There could be a seasonal switch flipping on this one. The spreads are getting out of line in cash. OSB?? 2×4 9ft. eastern?? There will be opportunities as prices fall in cash. If futures stabilizes the basis will pop up again. Looks like we are back to working for a living.

 

Daily Bulletin:

https://www.cmegroup.com/daily_bulletin/current/Section23_Lumber_Options.pdf

The Commitment of Traders:

https://www.cftc.gov/dea/futures/other_lf.htm

About the Leonard Report:

The Leonard Lumber Report is a column that focuses on the lumber futures market’s highs and lows and everything else in between. Our very own, Brian Leonard, risk analyst, will provide weekly commentary on the industry’s wood product sectors.

Brian Leonard

bleonard@rcmam.com

312-761-2636

08 Apr 2025
Agriculture, CME, Futures, Hedging, Housing, Lumber, Market Commentary, Market Updates, Research, Risk Management, Weekly Prices rcmagserv 0 comment

LEONARD LUMBER REPORT: It’s hard to believe that we could start to discuss a housing problem in the near future

The Lumber Market:

It’s hard to believe that we could start to discuss a housing problem in the near future. A week ago, there wasn’t an economic reason to talk about a recession. Today it is real. The key is the stock market. No one disagrees that a sell-off was needed. The mag 7, especially Nvidia, ran the market up. Today the market is taking the froth back. What we see in equities in these situations is a massive increase in sellers. You first have to stop the selling and then build confidence back. In 2009 and 2021 the government wrote checks to get it back. That’s not going to happen this time making the confidence factor murkier. For housing it is not as simple as finding help from an equities rally. The genie is out of the bottle. Any help from the demand side has been pushed out. It’s time to sharpen the pencils again. We came into the year looking for a supply issue to help prices not demand. That still lingers…. as does the tariff. As I am writing this the Spoo’s are down 220. Stop the equities meltdown and the lumber futures will correct. The algo selling lumber futures is feeding off of the equities.

The chart below shows a channel pattern that started from the bottom of the move back in July 24. Breakeven was going to come into play eventually. Last July showed the market could not survive at such a low price. Last week’s $91 break indicates the futures market was up on froth. A close under 569.58 indicates the futures market doesn’t care about breakeven.

Lumber futures corrected the tariff rally. This week needs to see overall calm, or we could be in trouble.

*As of Tuesday, there were 5000 industry shorts that are now up $91. Good risk management!

Daily Bulletin:

https://www.cmegroup.com/daily_bulletin/current/Section23_Lumber_Options.pdf

The Commitment of Traders:

https://www.cftc.gov/dea/futures/other_lf.htm

About the Leonard Report:

The Leonard Lumber Report is a column that focuses on the lumber futures market’s highs and lows and everything else in between. Our very own, Brian Leonard, risk analyst, will provide weekly commentary on the industry’s wood product sectors.

Brian Leonard

bleonard@rcmam.com

312-761-2636

31 Mar 2025
Agriculture, CME, Corn, Cotton, Futures, Grain, Hedging, Market Commentary, Market Updates, Research, Risk Management, Soybeans, USDA Report, Weather, Weekly Prices, Wheat rcmagserv 0 comment

Ag Market Update: March 12 – March 31

The March 31 Stocks and Acreage Report did not provide any fireworks as there were no major surprises in the report with the USDA saying there will be 95.326 million acres planted. While this is a large acreage number the trade and talk the last couple weeks was about the likelihood of the USDA coming out with a 95 number. While the report could have been worse, stocks coming in exactly in line with the estimate did not pile on with bad news. As we head toward planting, weather, South America and tariff wars will be the main movers now.

Via Barchart

Soybeans came in at 83.495 million acres as their lack of profitability at current prices is making farmers switch some acres to corn. As you can see from the chart below there have not been much help for beans but if this acreage number is close to what we see, it is hard to think they would dip much below $10. The post report action was disappointing as beans continued lower.

Via Barchart

Wheat had bullish news from the report as acreage came in 1.125 million below estimates. Wheat has some bullish world news for price with emergence concerns in the Black Sea and US Plains, despite recent price action. News out of the Black Sea and any issues with the US crop will be market movers for now.

Via Barchart

Equity Markets

The equity markets continue their volatile swings while President Trump’s “day of liberation” approaches on April 2 when tariffs are supposed to be going in place. Volatility will be the name of the game as many unknowns remain in the trade wars.

Via Barchart

Other News

  • Cotton acres came in at 9.867 million. This is 1.315 million acres less than last year. Cotton needs to see demand pick up to get back and stay over 70 cents/lb.

Drought Monitor

As planting approaches the drought monitor begins to become important again as subsoil moisture always seems to be a problem somewhere.

PRICES

Contact an Ag Specialist Today

Whether you’re a producer, end-user, commercial operator, RCM AG Services helps protect revenues and control costs through its suite of hedging tools and network of buyers/sellers — Contact Ag Specialist Brady Lawrence today at 312-858-4049 or blawrence@rcmam.com.

 

Disclaimer

RCM Ag Services is a registered DBA of Reliance Capital Markets II LLC. Trading futures, options on futures, and retail off-exchange foreign currency transactions are complex and involve substantial risk of loss and are not suitable for all investors. Loss-limiting strategies such as stop loss orders may not be effective because market conditions or technological issues may make it impossible to execute such orders. Likewise, strategies using combinations of options and/or futures positions such as “spread” or “straddle” trades may be just as risky as simple long and short positions. There are no guarantees of profit. You should carefully consider whether trading is suitable for you in light of your circumstances, knowledge and financial resources. You may lose all or more than your initial investment. You should not rely on any of the information herein as a substitute for the exercise of your own skill and judgment in making such a decision on the appropriateness of such investments. Opinions, market data and recommendations are subject to change without notice. Reliance Capital Markets II LLC shall not be held responsible for any actions taken based on this website or attached links. Parties acting on this electronic communication are responsible for their own actions. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.