*Corn sags on expectations of record planting report. *Wheat prices the lowest since April 3. CHICAGO, May 20- U.S. grain and soybean futures traded mostly lower on Monday, pressured by a pickup in planting around the U.S.
Sudakshina Unnikrishnan, Director, Commodities Research, Barclays explains why soybeans are an attractive investment opportunity. She adds that investors are unlikely to turn broadly positive on the agricultural markets.
Abah Ofon, Director, Agricultural Commodities Analyst, Standard Chartered says he's relatively bullish on old-crop corn, but expects new-crop corn prices to fall because of a supply glut in Q4.
Erin Fitzpatrick, Commodity Analyst, Rabobank says that downgrades in South America Soybean crop production levels is causing the largest year-on-year decline in global output.
Syngenta, the world's largest agrochemicals company, is aiming for higher earnings this year as price hikes and cost-cuts are expected to help it offset the impact of the strong Swiss franc and raw material prices.
Food prices and security, threatened by weather-caused production declines and relentless rising demand, will be a key issue at the conference of world business, political and social leaders.
Signs look positive for the agricultural and fertilizer industries in 2012, and U.S. companies would likely benefit the most, investor Dennis Gartman said on “Fast Money.”
Gold prices will rally again in 2012 to reach $2,000 to $2,500 per ounce because demand is still strong and the precious metal is still seen as a safe haven, according to Sabine Schels, a commodities strategist at Bank of America Merrill Lynch.