Soybeans Close Wednesday with Gains

Market Summary - Soybean contracts increased by 3 to 7 ¼ cents in the front months, while some deferred contracts were steady to slightly lower [1] - The national average Cash Bean price rose by 4 cents to $9.70 1/2 [1] - Soymeal futures increased by 80 cents to $1.20, whereas Soy Oil futures decreased by 2 to 22 points [1] - A total of 47 deliveries were issued against soybeans overnight, including 7 for January bean oil [1] Export Activity - The USDA reported a private export sale of 334,000 MT of soybeans to China [2] - Chinese soybean imports in December reached 8.04 MMT, marking a 1.3% increase compared to the same month last year [3] Upcoming Data - NOPA data is expected to show a total of 224.8 million bushels of soybeans crushed in December [3] - Export Sales data will be released, with analysts predicting soybean sales between 0.8-1.8 MMT for the week ending on January 8 [3] - Soybean meal sales are anticipated to be between 150,000-400,000 MT, with bean oil sales projected at 0-26,000 MT [3] Price Information - January soybeans closed at $10.30 1/2, up 7 1/4 cents [4] - Nearby Cash soybeans were priced at $9.70 1/2, up 4 cents [4] - March soybeans closed at $10.42 1/2, up 3 3/4 cents, and May soybeans closed at $10.55, up 3 cents [4]