Corn falls on fading speculation about exports to China; metals, energy also decline

Corn falls on fading hope for new exports

DENVER — Corn prices are falling as market speculation faded that China would start importing some of the U.S. supply.

Corn prices are also coming under pressure Thursday because U.S. supplies of the grain appear to be plentiful. And a spell of moderate weather may prompt some farmers to begin their spring crops as early as next week.

Investors had embraced speculation that China may want to import U.S. corn, but that talk has waned in the market.

Corn gave back most of its previous day’s gain to settle down 8.25 cents. Wheat, corn, metals and energy prices also fell.