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The Department of Agriculture has said that crop progress for most U. S. crops remains ahead of average, but a torrid early start to the year has slowed.

It has been reported that corn planting is 87 percent done, still ahead of its five-year average of 78 percent done for this week of the year. Corn emergence, at 55 percent, is well head of the historic average of 39 percent.

Soybean planting is 38 percent done, compared to an historic average of 35 percent. A week ago, however, soybean planting was 11 percentage points above the historic average.

According to the official reports, prices closed lower Monday on the Chicago Board of Trade as equity markets were negative most of the day and the dollar index was close to flat.

Corn was off 6 to off 7, soybeans were off 9 3/4 to off 12 1/2, wheat was off 2 to off 2 1/2 and oats were off 5.

With the dollar index up 0.07 percent and oil prices falling, corn prices dropped for the third consecutive trading session.

Guar ended down on hopes of normal monsoon and poor demand for churi and korma. In the Jodhpur spot market, guar seed fell 4 rupees to end at 2,317 rupees per 100 kg. Prices are expected to fall much as the availability in the market is very thin. Guar yesterday we have seen that market has moved -0.6%. Market has opened at 2332 & made a low of 2308 versus the day high of 2344. The total volume for the day was at 168160 lots and the open interest was at 145060.Now support for the guar is seen at 2306 and below could see a test of 2289. Resistance is now likely to be seen at 2342, a move above could see prices testing 2361.

Guar trading range is 2289-2361.

With the euro close to a four-year low against the U. S. dollar, Crude oil prices fell to less than $71 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange Monday.

It has been reported that the euro rose on Monday, lifting from Friday's $1.2384 to $1.2396. But the weak euro is a tangible symptom of concerns over sovereign debt in Europe that has undercut market stability.

June delivery crude oil in New York slipped from a prior settlement to $70.70, off 91 cents.

Nickel fell sharply as investors sold metals, shunning risky assets in favor of safe havens like gold and the dollar. Nickel has touched a low of Rs 935.3 a kg after opening at Rs.971, and last traded at Rs 948.7.For today market is looking for the support at 932.3, a break below could see a test of 916 and where as resistance is now likely to be seen at 968, a move above could see prices testing 987.4.

Nickel trading range is 916-987.4.

Nickel fell sharply as investors sold metal shunning risky assets in favor of safe havens

Nickel is getting support at 942.80 and resistance is at 954.20

It has been reported that the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a voluntary recall of Mall of America's Sandy the Squirrel plush toys due to a choking hazard.

It was also noted by the report that about 1,200 plush Sandy the Squirrel toys were imported from China by MOA Entertainment Co. LLC of Bloomington, Minn., and sold Mall of America stores in March 2010 for about $10.

The commission said on Monday that the nose on the plush toy can detach, posing a choking hazard.