DTN Closing Grain Comments 02/21 14:04

DTN Closing Grain Comments 02/21 14:04 Corn, Soybeans Trade Lower Friday Under Brazilian Pressure Agricultural futures were mixed heading into the weekend with corn and soybeans lower as Brazil safrinha corn planting and soybean harvests advance on good recent weather. Meanwhile, wheat prices were able to halt a two-day profit-taking stretch, while livestock markets were also mostly positive. Outside markets on Friday leaned negatively on ag markets, with stock indices down again led by the Dow Jones Industrial Average, primarily stemmed from lower-than-expected consumer confidence reported for February as well as the announcement of an investigation into healthcare giant UnitedHealth's billing practices, which dragged that stock down 9% on Friday. The U.S. dollar was firmer as well while energy markets were weak led by a correction in crude oil futures which snapped a three-day winning streak. Rhett Montgomery DTN Lead Analyst GENERAL COMMENTS: March corn closed down 6 3/4 cents and May corn was down 7 3/4 cents. March soybeans closed down 6 cents and May soybeans were down 5 3/4 cents. March KC wheat closed up 1 3/4 cents, March Chicago wheat was up 4 1/2 cents, March Minneapolis wheat was down 1 cents.