Soybeans Look to Post Christmas Trade Following Gain on Wednesday

Group 1 - Soybean futures showed positive movement leading into the Christmas break, with contracts increasing by 11 to 14 cents [1] - Open interest decreased by 4,814 contracts, indicating some short covering in the market [1] - The national average Cash Bean price rose by 11 3/4 cents to $9.92 3/4 [1] Group 2 - USDA reported export sale commitments for soybeans at 25.778 million metric tons, a 33% decrease from the same period last year, representing 58% of USDA's export projection [2] - The average pace of soybean exports is lagging behind the 79% average [2] Group 3 - Buenos Aires Grains Exchange indicated that 75.5% of the soybean crop has been planted, which is below the average pace [3] - Condition ratings for the soybean crop are at 67% good/excellent, which is 5 points higher than last year [3] - Recent soybean futures prices include Jan 26 closing at $10.63 1/4, Mar 26 at $10.76 1/2, and May 26 at $10.87 1/2, all showing increases [3]