Wheat firmed on increased hostilities in the Black Sea region, a large wheat producing area, and corn followed. Chicago September wheat moved up 14¢, closing at $5.51¼ a bushel, Kansas City September gained 11¾¢, closing at $6.19¾ a bushel, and Minneapolis September rose 6¼c, closing at $6.12 a bushel. September corn advanced 3¾¢, closing at $3.65¾ a bushel. September soybeans gained 4¼c, closing at $11.02½ a bushel, but other contracts declined. September soybean meal gained $5.90, closing at $388.30 a ton. September soybean oil fell 64¢, closing at 32.87¢ a lb.
Major U.S. stock indexes ended mixed Aug. 15 on reports of escalating tensions in Ukraine. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell almost 51 points, closing at 16,662.91. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index declined slightly, closing at 1,955.06. The Nasdaq Composite Index rose nearly 12 points, closing at 4,464.93.
The value of the U.S. dollar against the euro was lower.
Crude oil futures rose Friday after reports that Ukraine engaged Russian forces on Ukranian soil, which Russia denied. The September contract gained $1.77, closing at $97.35 a barrel.
