The surge in grain prices amid the worst drought in the U.S. in more than half a century, has led to livestock farmers demanding the Obama administration reduce or temporarily cancel a federal mandate, which requires part of the corn crop be set aside to produce ethanol for blending into cleaner-burning gasoline.
Oil prices will likely gain this week on expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve may announce additional stimulus to help boost an anemic recovery in the world's largest economy while markets are looking towards the European Central Bank to suppress unsustainably high sovereign borrowing costs in Spain and Italy, according to CNBC's weekly survey of oil market sentiment.
Benchmark oil prices may trade within a tight range this week as participants wait for the outcome of a repeat Greek election on June 17 and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) meeting to decide production policy on Thursday in Vienna, according to CNBC's weekly survey of oil market sentiment.
Oil prices are set to extend declines as uncertainty persists over the euro zone's future, growth slows in China and the dollar rises. But international talks in Baghdad scheduled on Wednesday around Iran's nuclear program may contain losses if the country's leadership resists pressure to curb uranium enrichment, CNBC's weekly survey showed.
Sentiment towards benchmark oil prices is evenly balanced this week, with some in the markets saying higher U.S. gasoline prices are causing ‘demand destruction’ while others say supply risks focused on Iran will continue to keep prices well-supported, CNBC's weekly survey of market sentiment showed.