Summary Box: Commodity prices drop as investors check risky bets; Fed’s moves pare losses

Summary Box: Commodity prices drop broadly

BROAD DROP: Prices for grains, metals and energy fell as investors worried about slowing demand for imports in China and a weakening U.S. recovery.

FED MOVES: Commodities pared losses or moved higher after the Federal Reserve said that because it anticipated a more modest recovery than it had expected just 7 weeks ago, it would buy some government debt to help support the economy and bring down long term interest rates.

RENEWED CONFIDENCE: While the Fed’s plan to buy bonds may not have a big impact, investors were reassured that the central bank would act to support the rebound.