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    RESEARCH

    OUTLOOK 2011

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    C U R R E N T I N D U S T R Y A N D B U S I N E S S T R E N D SAn introduction to the PFGBEST Research Outlook 2011

    by Russell R. Wasendorf, Jr., President and COO of PFGBEST

    C U R R E N C I E S O U T L O O K by Paul Kavanaugh

    I N T E R E S T R A T E S O U T L O O K by Mike Marshall

    I N S T I T U T I O N A L F O R E X O U T L O O K by James Brown

    S T O C K I N D I C E S O U T L O O K by Sean Lusk

    P R E C I O U S M E T A L S O U T L O O K by Mike Daly

    E N E R G Y O U T L O O K

    by Phil Flynn

    G R A I N S O U T L O O K by Tim Hannagan

    L I V E S T O C K O U T L O O K by Robert Short

    S O F T S O U T L O O K by Robin Rosenberg

    TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S

    The outlooks provided herein represent the professional opinions of the PFGBEST Research analysts and should not be construed as statements of fact. There ia substantial risk of loss in trading commodity futures, options and off-exchange foreign currency products. Past performance is not indicative of future results

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    RESEARCH

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    C U R R E N T I N D U S T R Y A N D B U S I N E S S T R E N D SAn Introduction to PFGBEST Research Outlook 2011

    by Russell R. Wasendorf, Jr.

    President and COO of PFGBEST

    A year ago, PFGBEST and U.S. businesses were squarely focused on the need for the U.S. Federal

    Reserve Board to delicately maneuver monetary policy to avoid deepening the economic downturn. The

    Fed has managed to keep ination at bay and interest rates low, thereby helping consumer spending to

    grow modestly. That trend continues.

    Here are additional factors we are closely monitoring as the doors open to 2011 investing:

    Markets are demonstrating investor concern over the ballooning U.S. decit, set to remain at

    $1.1 trillion, even after a $100 billion reduction in 2011. Potential state and local government

    bankruptcies are also front and center.

    Slow expansion in the U.S. economy: The slow, 2.7% growth pace established in 2010 is expected

    to be the same through 2011.

    The decline in government stimulus spending which markets will this impact, and how?

    Unemployment: New job growth will barely keep pace with the rise in population, and an

    unemployment rate of 9% or more is anticipated all year. This would mark the weakest post-

    recession job recovery on record.

    Business spending was very brisk in 2010 and appears to be on track for a double digit rate again

    in 2011. Companies have been rebuilding low inventories and registering solid prots! That is

    certainly positive.

    The Bush era tax cuts, set to expire in January 2011, were extended in a $700 billion tax deal that

    continues the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts to keep rates low for ordinary income as well as for capital

    gains and dividends. It keeps expanded child credits and earned income credits from the 2009

    stimulus. It also creates a new, one-year payroll tax cut for all workers regardless of income. What

    are the plusses and minuses of this legislation, from a traders perspective?

    I direct you to some of our nest PFGBEST market analysts to pinpoint the ways in which these, and

    other, more specic sector trends, will manifest in the markets throughout the coming year. We hope

    you will benet from recognizing both the challenges you will want to be aware of, and the opportunitie

    for you that are inherent in constantly shifting and evolving markets.

    HAPPY NEW YEAR!

    With BEST regards,

    RESEARCH

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    C U R R E N C I E S O U T L O O Kby Paul Kavanaugh

    [email protected]

    888-439-6033

    OVERARCHING THEMES FOR CURRENCIES AT THE START OF 2011

    Quantitative easing (QE2) by the Fed and in Europe

    Stronger Canadian and Aussie due to demand for commodity resources there

    Stronger yen and Swiss on ight to quality

    There are several trends likely

    to dominate the currency

    markets in 2011. For the U.S.

    dollar (USD), the key issue

    will be the impact of Federal

    Reserve easing or tightening.The Fed rst moved to

    lower the USD in March of

    2009, and this program was

    successful in lowering the

    dollar some 17 percent by

    November of that year. Then,

    sovereign debt concerns of

    the Euro Zone surfaced and

    we saw a signicant ight-to-

    quality rally in the USD.

    However, in the second halfof 2010, slow economic

    growth and a lack of

    employment growth made

    it likely the Fed would have

    to move again to stimulate

    the economy with another

    round of quantitative easing,

    known as QE2. Again the

    dollar sold off as 2010 drew

    to an end, and it appeared the

    Feds next action involving

    the planned purchase of

    $600 billion of additional

    securities to stimulate

    the economy by June of

    2011 had been priced in. In a classic example of buy the rumor/sell the fact, the dollar has actually

    strengthened since the Fed announced QE2. Look for the dollar to move lower on poor economic news

    and higher on Euro Zone debt concerns in the year ahead.

    In Europe, the Euro and British pound will likely see pressure from additional European quantitative

    easing in 2011. The stability of the European Union will be a major theme in 2011, with the economic

    strength of France and Germany tempered by the debt concerns of the other members including

    RESEARCH

    Source: CQG Inc

    Source: CQG Inc

    Source: CQG Inc

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    Portugal, Italy, Ireland,

    Greece and Spain, the PIIGS.

    Its a nancial quagmire, and

    this is likely to remain a key

    theme in 2011.

    The Swiss franc, often

    considered a nancial

    currency (as opposed to a

    manufacturing one, like the

    German mark or Euro, has

    been moving sharply higher as a safe haven from further Euro Zone weakness. In December 2010, the

    Swiss franc hit record highs relative to the Euro.

    Another beneciary of risk aversion has been the Japanese yen, which hit 15-year highs against the USD

    in October, 2010. Strength in the yen has caused difculty for manufacturing and export sales in Japan.

    The currencies of commodity exporting nations such as Canada and Australia should continue to

    strengthen on increasing demand from China.

    We anticipate further commodity ination heading into 2011, with many of the markets putting in multi-

    year and all-time record highs in markets like copper, gold, coffee, sugar, and cotton. The one thing we

    can be sure of when markets make new all-time highs is that volatility will likely remain extremely high

    for a good part of the year.

    Expect a battle between risk aversion/appetite to impact commodity and currency prices, as there is an

    inverse correlation between the dollar and commodity prices. As the American economy regains its

    strength and employment begins to improve, the USD is likely to strengthen, and in doing so, it will

    pressure commodity markets.

    RESEARCH

    Source: CQG Inc

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    I N T E R E S T R A T E S O U T L O O Kby Mike Marshal

    [email protected]

    800-216-1485

    OVERARCHING THEMES FOR INTEREST RATES

    Fed buying of Treasuries, and Fed easing to continue

    Currency devaluations are a critical inuence

    Trend is bearish

    U.S. Treasury rates were on the rise

    in the fall of 2010, but from the top

    in early November, the markets met

    much panic selling amidst mixed talk

    of recovery. Stocks continued higher

    through the period, and preciousmetals were bumping against 30-year

    and all-time highs as.

    Some analysts have claimed that the

    recent rate increases occurred as the

    market is pricing in the beginnings

    of the recovery. I suppose this

    is possible, though I suspect it

    has much more to do with falling

    demand for U.S. dollar-denominated

    investments.

    Interest rate spreads in Europe

    had gotten to extreme levels on

    fears of soverign default. While

    they continue to remain extended,

    European Central Bank (ECB)

    President Trichets decision to

    increase the ECBs monetary efforts

    have reigned in the runaway markets and stopped the ascent. Though foreign rates remain elevated,

    concern has waned since their extremes.

    Meanwhile, there is no diminished concern about rising U.S. interest rates. And, as worry mounts, we

    can notice a trend forming in foreign buying of U.S. Treasuries.

    The charts provided plot the takedown percentages for the recent 30-year and 5-year auctions,

    respectively. Notice how the indirect bidders, where foreign buying is registered, have pulled away

    from the belly and short end of the curve, while increasing their bidding on the 30-years.

    This may be indicative of foreign investors chasing the higher returns of the longer-dated securities.

    Notice, too, how the primary dealers have gradually been reducing their purchasing over the past two

    years. Primary dealers buy most of the U.S. Treasuries at each auction, then sell them to their clients,

    thus creating the initial market. As interest rate risk increases, we have seen investors, both foreign and

    domestic, reign in their purchases.

    RESEARCH

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    5/9/2012 5/9/2013 5/9/2014

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    The bigger question of where rates will be in 2011 is extremely difcult to predict at this juncture. On

    one hand, we have investors, both foreign and domestic, leaving the Treasury market, while at the same

    time, we have a Federal Reserve Board (Fed) that has pledged to keep rates low.

    One major development occurring in late 2010 was the change to the System Open Market Account(SOMA) securities lending program allowing the Fed to double its holdings of any particular debt

    security. So, despite dimishing global investment, the Fed may be readying itself for a far more

    aggressive round of action. The announcement of further quantitative easing (QE2) brought much

    speculation, yet the interest rate markets have performed poorly despite the Feds pledge to continue the

    Permanent Open Market Operations (POMO).

    The recent increase in primary dealer purchases on the short end can also be explained when taking the

    POMO purchases into account. Since the POMO buying seems to be focused on the belly of the curve (5-

    to 10-years), we could argue that primary dealers see what lies ahead; they may be positioning themselves

    for more aggressive Fed buybacks. If the primary dealers can continue to front-run the Fed as they have, I

    would expect a relative bid to be put into belly-of-the-yield-curve pricing for the near term.

    With this reasoning in mind, I believe the Fed will shortly begin a more signicant and aggressive round

    of QE2. This could come in the form of an increased POMO schedule, or higher SOMA injections at the

    monthly auctions. It may also be that when QE2 is nished, we will quickly move to QE3 and QE4.

    As long as the Fed continues to expand its balance sheet to prop up the U.S. bond market, U.S.

    Treasuries will be at risk to currency devaluation. Fear of this risk will keep investors away from the

    U.S. Treasury auctions and force the Fed to take ever-increasing amounts of Treasury debt onto its

    own balance sheet. The negative impact will likely be continued heft to the Fed balance sheet, thus

    threatening the security of the U.S. dollar and the U.S. Treasury markets.

    Ultimately, I suspect the Fed will be powerless to stem another tide of panic selling should it occur.

    I imagine 2011 will bring about a increasingly volatile interest rate market whose direction will remain lower.

    RESEARCH

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    I N S T I T U T I O N A L F O R E X O U T L O O Kby James Brown

    [email protected]

    888-655-5176

    OVERARCHING THEMES FOR FOREIGN EXCHANGE FROM THE INSTITUTIONAL

    PERSPECTIVE

    The U.S. dollars resiliency

    Less pressure on the Fed to raise rates

    Continued interest in emerging currencies like the yuan

    THE DOLLAR IS BEGINNING TO SHOW SIGNS OF A CORRECTION:

    After a strong rally in the rst half of 2010, the U.S. dollar (USD) reversed course in June and nished

    the year well below its June highs. Depreciation in the USD in 2010 was interrupted at times by

    systemic shocks in Europe (sovereign funding crisis), tighter monetary policy in China (and the risk of a

    hard landing), and the economic slowdown in the U.S.

    Recently, however, the USD has been showing signs of resilience and has some market participants

    thinking a sustained rally could be in the cards for the New Year, at least into the spring. There are six

    primary reasons for the recent strength of the dollar and why this rally could carry into 2011.

    Treasury yieldsare backing up, and this fact is supportive of the dollar. Listed are some of the reasons

    why yields have been moving high recently.

    The extension of the Bush tax cuts have some worried about the large U.S. government decit; if it

    grows, this could crowd out investment in the real economy;

    Ination concerns stemming from additional stimulus and government spending which were part of

    the tax deal;

    Higher supply of U.S. Treasury issuance at historically low yields;

    A correction in the bond market which had rallied since April;

    Ination concerns on the back of the proposed QE2 measures unveiled after the November FOMC

    meeting;

    An end to the Build America Bonds program pressured the municipal securities market and pushed

    yields higher as market participants were driven to sell Treasuries to hedge their muni-bond exposure.

    Real yields in the U.S., at 2.3 percent, are currently trading at a premium to Germany (1.53 percent), the

    UK (.44 percent) and Japan (1.2 percent) in the 10-year period.

    Euro weakness (and USD strength) is back in vogue on renewed uncertainty in Ireland, Spain and other

    countries in the Euro Zone.

    Renewed tensions between North and South Korea have been supportive of the dollar through safe

    haven buying.

    China is erring toward tighter monetary policy, and it has raised its reserve requirement three times in

    just the last weeks of 2010 to 18.5 percent for Chinas largest banks to moderate lending and speculation

    in the over-heated real estate sector. The PBOC raised its one-month lending rate 25 basis points on

    December 27 to 5.81 percent.

    On a side note; slower growth in China as a result of this tightening could weigh heavily on commodities

    and equities if the Chinese economy begins to slow.

    RESEARCH

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    The extension of the Bush tax cuts has put more emphasis on scal policy (versus monetary policy) and

    reduced pressure on the Federal Reserve to ramp up QE2 in 2011.

    INFLUENCES THAT IMPACT WHETHER THE USD GOES UP OR DOWN IN 2011The large U.S. external balances and deteriorating budget decits will be problematic for the dollar in

    the coming months. Some argue that the economy should respond favorably to the tax extension which

    would be favorable to the Canadian dollar, LATAM currencies and most Asian currencies. (Note, 75

    percent of all Canadian exports come to the U.S., along with a large percentage of Asian exports, so

    there could be a risk/carry trade inuence.)

    Or, the Fed could go on hold for an extended period as employment growth remains tepid and ination

    remains benign. In this scenario, the USD would not be strengthening.

    The markets are now at a critical juncture because the interest rate/currency link has become highly

    correlated and a large spike in rates could push the dollar much higher. In turn, a stronger dollar could

    preempt or trigger a liquidation of the risk/carry trade (short USD, long commodities, long equities andlong xed income), sending commodities and equity prices lower. If one considers the extent to which

    asset prices have become a function of the ever-growing pool of liquidity by the major central banks of

    the world, this liquidation could be profound, and a correction across all of these asset classes would not

    be out of the ordinary.

    TRADE RECOMMENDATIONS

    USD/Chinese yuan

    In the June 2010 PFGBEST Research Outlook Midyear Update we wrote, We have heard interest

    by discretionary managers to buy the 12-month CNY NDF around current levels (6.7900) with

    stops above 6.8400 and targeting a move to 6.6000 into late 2010. The trade offers an attractive

    risk:reward opportunity.

    For those who are still in this trade we recommend staying with the trade or reinitiating the short

    6-month USD/CNY NDF at 6.5600 with a stop at 6.6100 and targeting 6.4500 by July 2011.

    We expect USD/CNY to fall ahead of Hu Jintaos visit to Washington in mid-January and believe

    that the recent focus on domestic ination complements this trade.

    USD/Canadian dollar

    USD/CAD has been hovering between 1.0000 and 1.0400 since September 2010 and has shown

    considerable strength compared to the other high-risk currencies. Recent economic data from

    Canada has been mixed, with better retail sales and higher-than-expected ination reports

    suggesting a rate hike by the Bank of Canada (BOC) in the near future. Conversely, the currentaccount decit is now four percent of GDP (17.5 billion) and Canadas trade balance is at its worst

    levels in decades. Weak structural demand in the U.S. (housing, inventory overhang, employment)

    may keep the BOC on hold. Additionally, USD/CAD could weaken on higher U.S. Treasury yields,

    lower commodity prices, and China monetary policy tightening as mentioned earlier. Therefore,

    a recommended trade is buying USD/CAD close to parity with stops down below .9925 with an

    upside target in the 1.0375 to 1.0650 area.

    USD/Brazilian real

    USD/BRL strengthened 6.5 percent since the beginning of June, 2010, primarily on risk sentiment,

    attractive yields and external capital ows. But recently, inationary pressures have been building,

    RESEARCH

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    driven by higher wages, increasing credit and rising consumer condence. Industrial production

    and capacity utilization have been tailing off and their trade and current account balance have been

    narrowing. Throw in weak corporate prots and the likelihood of tightening in China, (Brazils

    largest trading partner) and the fundamental picture begins to look unattractive. Add in higher

    U.S. yields and an improving economic climate in the U.S., a newly-elected president in Brazil, a

    weakening stock market based on the IBOV Indexall of this indicates a correction in USD/BRL

    is in order. Buy the 3-month USD/BRL NDF at 1.7050 (1 unit) with a stop at 1.6825 and target

    1.7725 for 1/2 unit and 1.8000 for 1/2 unit.

    RESEARCH

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    S T O C K I N D I C E S O U T L O O Kby Sean Lusk

    [email protected]

    877-294-7757

    OVERARCHING THEMES FOR STOCK INDICES

    U.S. monetary policy to continue as a supporting inuence for stock prices and indices

    Housing, consumer spending, and borrowing levels are not going to change dramatically

    Persistence of government budget strains and government debt

    Bubbles could arise in emerging economies

    Entering 2011, the positive news is that the economic recovery is expected to continue, though consumer

    spending momentum and earnings for the corporate sector will continue to battle headwinds. I do not

    anticipate the recovery is going to be strong enough to push the U.S. unemployment rate back down to

    pre-recession levels, however. This means that there is a signicant risk that growth will be limited,

    even as monetary policy from the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will remain supportive.

    After the market meltdown in 2008, the National Bureau of Economic Analysis had pegged the

    ending date for the recession in June 2009. While that was certainly premature, there were two strong,

    temporary factors that did support U.S. economic growth in the last two quarters of 2009: scal

    stimulus from the Fed and a rebuilding of inventories by manufacturers and suppliers.

    In early 2010, growth shifted to more basic underlying demand, and xed business investment.

    Unfortunately, the pace of growth has not been strong enough to jump start employment statistics. Going

    forward, we would like to see GDP growth closer to ve percent, with corresponding monthly gains in

    non-farm payrolls at or near 300,000.

    The domestic economy faced a number of challenges that did not let up in 2010, and I see these

    continuing to limit the pace of economic recovery in the rst half of 2011. The following is my

    assessment of lingering problems and the impact on markets.

    RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE AND THE HOUSING SECTOR OVERALL

    The housing sector is likely to remain weak in many areas of the country. Two rounds of homebuyer tax

    incentives helped to stabilize housing activity, but appear to have had little or no lasting impact. It will

    take a long time to work through the volume of troubled mortgages and foreclosures. The foreclosure

    documentation scandal hasnt helped either. Ultimately, a recovery in the housing market will depend

    critically on better job growth. This should get better over time but not immediately. In the interim, a

    further decline in home prices would be an unwelcome development. Home prices fell following the

    expiration of the homebuyer tax credit. A continued decline would worsen the problems in the housingsector and impede any improvement in consumer spending statistics.

    STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT BUDGETS REMAIN UNDER SEVERE PRESSURE

    This is going to be a long-lasting issue as debt pressures are resulting in pro-cyclical policies like higher

    taxes and cutbacks in services. The Federal scal stimulus will ramp down in 2011, but the year-end

    2010 tax deal involving a two-year extension of the Bush tax cuts, extension of unemployment insurance

    benets, and a reduction in payroll taxes will prevent a signicant drag on economic growth near term.

    The tax deal is not so much a positive for growth as it is a non-negative. State and local government

    usually provides a base level of support in a recovery. However, state and local government has been

    contracting, and that is a drag on economic revival. State and local government payrolls fell by 250,000

    RESEARCH

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    over the 12 months ending in November 2010. Some of the Federal scal stimulus was aid to the states,

    which will be going away in 2011. Budget strains will fade away only as the economy and revenues

    recover, but they will not be going away any time soon.

    MONETARY POLICY

    U.S. Fed policy will remain supportive of equity markets in 2011 and into 2012. With mortgage rates

    low, the Fed found that principal payments in its portfolio of mortgage-backed securities reduced its

    overall balance sheet. The FOMC voted on August 10 to reinvest these principal payments into long-

    term Treasury securities, buying about $35 billion per month. At the November 2-3 meeting, the FOMC

    voted to purchase an additional $600 billion in long-term Treasuries by the end of Q2 in 2011, which

    is about $75 billion per month. Total monthly purchases by the Fed amount to $110 billion per month,

    which is large relative to the amount of debt the government is issuing.

    These purchases became known as quantitative easing/QE2. The Feds asset plan has been widely

    criticized and politicized. Many fear that the Fed will inate the money supply excessively, and that

    could lead to ination.

    OTHER FACTORS

    Bank terms and standards for consumer and business loans tightened further in 2010, but should ease in

    2011. Credit to small rms tightened sharply during the economic downturn and has not loosened up.

    However, many small rms are unenthusiastic about future demand, and they dont even want to take on

    further nancial obligations. Borrowing is a lot easier for large rms, which have access to big banks

    and the corporate bond market. Consumers and big businesses generally paid down debt in 2010, and a

    massive deleveraging continued in the nancial sector.

    Government borrowing will remain high in 2011, but that is unlikely to impede private sector borrowing

    The consumer outlook for 2011 is slightly positive. We should see some improvement in the labor sector

    which will add to incomes, thereby stimulating consumer spending. The reduction in payroll taxes

    especially in middle class incomes will add to disposable incomes near term. As usual, any rise in energy

    prices is an important wildcard in the consumer spending outlook. A further rise in gasoline prices could

    dampen the positive effect of the tax agreement in early 2011.

    Business investment is also likely to remain moderately strong, fueled by strength in corporate prots

    and continued strong earnings. U.S. imports and exports fell sharply during the global recession, but

    continued to recover in 2010. However growth in imports and exports appeared to moderate in the

    second half of 2010 and are not expected to be a major factor in 2011. The European debt crisis is not

    going away anytime soon, and is likely to be a recurring concern for U.S. investors in 2011. Emerging

    economies are expected to remain strong in the near term, but there is fear of a possible bubble.

    In summary, the U.S. unemployment rate is only going to improve marginally. Short-term interest

    rates are unlikely to start rising until early 2012, as the Fed begins normalizing monetary policy. But

    it is the monetary policy currently employed by the Fed that carries a dual mandate that traders and

    investors should continue to be aware of. That is, to pump reserves into the economy and reduce

    the unemployment rate. The Fed in its statement in November 2010 stated that it can increase bond

    purchases in the months to come to spur the economy and get the credit markets moving again. In fact,

    when QE2 was announced, traders and investors were already wondering when QE3 was to begin later

    in 2011. Remember the QE2 program ends in June, and we could see a third round of asset purchases by

    Q3 in 2011. The point to this is that I would not recommend trading against the Feds mandate.

    RESEARCH

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    The obvious risks to the downside continue to be the ongoing debt crisis in Europe and continued global

    uncertainty on the Korean Peninsula and in the Middle East.

    S&P market support is present at the 1160 level and below that at 1075. Resistance is up at 1322 and

    further up at 1406.

    Initial support for the E-mini S&P lies at 1168, and below that at 1078. Resistance comes in at 1341, and

    the next target above it is 1431.

    RESEARCH

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    P R E C I O U S M E T A L S O U T L O O Kby Mike Daly

    [email protected]

    877-294-4669

    OVERARCHING THEMES FOR PRECIOUS METALS

    Record all-time highs ahead for gold

    Choppy market conditions

    High volumes

    As we look back on 2010, we realize how fragile the global economy has become. Events occurring

    in the world have fueled a multi-year ight-to-quality in gold futures and physical gold. Issues like

    record national debt for the U.S., debt contagion throughout the Euro Zone, and geo-political tensions

    (North Korea, South Korea, China, and the Middle East) have led to a seemingly never-ending stream of

    demand for gold. The other precious and industrial metals have also benetted from the bullish factors.

    Precious metals have indeed captured the world stage and the limelight is not fading.

    During 2010, gold prices notched to all-time highs, on incredible volumes as the U.S. dollars slump

    drove investors to precious metals as alternative assets. Gold futures reached an all-time record of

    $1,429.40 in December.

    Another highlight of the year was silver, which was swept to 30-year highs. In September 2010, silver

    futures climbed to $21.39 per ounce, the highest price since January 1980 when silver xed at $49.45.

    Since the global economy continues to struggle, it is my opinion that savvier investors, as well as

    seasoned traders, will continue to use the precious metals as an alternative, safe-haven investment.

    We have certainly realized that the European region is much more fragile than early reports indicated. In

    fact, today it is commonplace to hear reports of European banking institutions credit being downgraded

    by either Fitch Ratings or Moodys.

    This has forced many investors to use their weakened currencies to purchase gold and silver in order to

    protect their wealth. The Euro region will need time to stabilize and generate, and meanwhile, the ight

    into gold and silver in their many forms will not subside.

    We also know that there is and will continue to be an insatiable demand for gold in the Asian sector.

    India is the largest consumer of gold in the world and it is estimated that 20 percent of all rened gold

    is consumed by India. The giving of gold and silver is huge part of their gifting tradition during their

    wedding seasons as well as their Hindu festivals. And, since the citizens have accumulated more wealth

    in recent decades, they have more money available to spend on this prized commodity.

    China has become the worlds largest producer of gold and also the number two consumer gold fever

    has stricken and is not going away. From the governments investment perspective, it has been reported

    that the Chinese are seeking to increase their present gold bullion reserves in order to promote their yuan

    currency to the international level on par with the U.S. dollar and the Euro. They will have to increase

    their present bullion reserve drastically to achieve that end. Some analysts estimate that China will have

    quadruple their present reserves, which would certainly pressure gold prices to new highs.

    Constant worries that Chinas central bank The Peoples Bank of China (PBOC) will continue to

    raise rates weigh on gold and silver prices. However, I believe that a drastic price dip due to a Chinese

    interest rate hike may also offer an excellent opportunity to buy the precious metals at a bargain price.

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    Finally, the U.S. economy seems to be stabilizing; the main drags are the jobs sector and the housing

    sector. Obviously, this should and must be priority one and two so that we can get the unemployed back

    on a payroll and inject their dollars into their local economies, not to mention putting food on the table

    and a roof over their families heads.

    Our economy also will need time to progress and regain lost condence.

    As the worlds largest economy, the U.S needs to continue to grow and create new jobs. Since the

    implementation of QE2, which is scheduled to inject more money into the economy through the end of

    June 2011, it is likely that U.S. interest rates will remain low. That is a fundamental bullish factor as

    higher U.S interest rates would be bearish for both gold and silver. Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke

    said that it could take ve years for unemployment to fall to a normal level.

    Lower rates are meant to help small business borrow money at cheaper rates in order to grow, and that

    measure is designed to lead to growth in new jobs domestically.

    I expect the gold and silver rallies to continue through 2011 if these fundamental factors continue.

    Copper also achieved a new, all-time high as of this writing, on December 27, 2010, when it nished at

    $4.28 a pound. This has to do with the anticipated need for the base metal as the domestic and other world

    economies get back on track and continue to grow, sparking need for copper for industrial purposes. Some

    analysts consider copper prices as an indicator of the health of the construction industry. While I think

    copper, along with gold and silver, has an upward bias, there is no current shortage of copper.

    RESEARCH

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    E N E R G Y O U T L O O Kby Phil Flynn

    [email protected]

    800-935-6487

    OVERACHING THEMES FOR OIL AND GAS

    $100 target is in sight for a barrel of crude oil

    Dollar rally would stem any upward price activity

    Demand improving but economic weakness is blocking rallies in energy futures prices

    Oil demand will improve in 2011 but will that mean sharply higher prices?

    After one of the attest and most fascinating trading years in recent memory for crude oil, 2011 is

    shaping up to be a bit more bullish on the demand side. Prices are rm at current levels.

    Improving retail sales and the extension of the Bush tax cuts should set the stage for a year of improving

    demand. Still, dont expect oil prices to soar above $100 a barrel unless a major geo-political event

    occurs, because even as demand recovers, oil has a $15 to $20 stimulus premium built into the price.

    That premium must come out before cash and futures prices can begin to soar.

    IMPACT OF THE U.S. DOLLAR ON COMMODITIES GENERALLY

    The U.S. economic stimulus program has led to more demand and a weak dollar. While the economy

    seems to be improving, it is the value of the U.S. dollar that should be closely monitored in energy and

    other commodity markets. If the dollar stages a strong rebound, it would put downward price pressure

    on crude oil.

    Recently, Bloomberg reported on the relationship between the dollars value and commodities.

    Speculators betting the commodities rally will continue into a third year are being confronted by

    currency investors wagering the dollar will strengthen in 2011. If history is any guide, the foreign-

    exchange market will win. That article pointed out that the dollar has moved in the opposite direction o

    commodity prices 18 of the past 22 quarters. During the 11 quarters in which the dollar index has gained

    since the rst quarter of 2005, the CRB index fell eight times. That is a strong indicator of the continued

    status of opposing directions for the U.S. dollar and the price of commodity markets.

    PRESSURE FROM ECONOMIC FACTORS STARTING WITH THE 2010 DUBAI CREDIT

    SQUEEZE

    Despite improving demand, there are still factors at play to curb real price improvement. A slew of

    unfolding economic crises throughout the year in 2010 dictated the volatility in crude prices. The rst

    event was a credit problem in Dubai which caused oil to break from the eighties to below $70. The

    massive building boom in Dubai, including man-made islands and construction of the worlds tallest

    building, ground to a halt as a credit squeeze raised fears of another economic collapse that might spread

    across the Middle East.

    Obviously a break in oil prices might cause even more economic pain across the region and instead of

    exporting oil, the Middle East might export economic gloom. The gloom which would result from a

    Dubai default would be far reaching indeed. What happened in 2010, was that Dubai (and by default,

    the price of oil) got bailed out when the United Arab Emirates (UAE) coughed up a $10 billion rescue

    plan to help Dubais sovereign wealth fund restructure. Oil rallied again as the bailout helped create the

    impression that Dubai was a small problem in the larger scheme of things.

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    EURO PRICE DEFLATION

    The U.S. Federal Reserve Board (Fed) had repeatedly warned the European Union (EU) to protect their

    economies by printing more money but it didnt happen. The Europeans have a strong reservation against

    printing money based on their pre-WWII history. As the Euro remained strong in the year just ended, the

    spread widened between the Euro and the U.S. dollar, creating deationary pressures in Europe.

    In fact, the combination of their weaker European economy and the strength of the Euro currency made

    it hard for some EU members to pay their debts. Several countries had not been as scally responsible

    as others, and the next thing you know, there was a crisis in Greece. Greeces scal responsibility and

    debt imbalance rst led to a selloff in oil, and next to the infamous Flash Crash that steered crude oil

    to its low of 2010 in the $64 area.

    That was a short-lived break in oil prices, because then the EU broke every rule they had in the book;

    despite a treaty that vowed that they would not bail out any members bad debts, they did so. Fear of

    contagion to their neighbors, now known as the acronym PIIGS Portugal, Italy, Ireland and Spain

    forced the EU to act. Just as easy as one, two, three, the EU printed cash, hoping the PIIGS debt

    problems could just gradually fade away. And, once again, it was a major intervention that stopped afree-fall in oil.

    Oil did rebound, but supplies increased to record highs in the face of weakening demand. By the middle

    of 2010, oil demand went into a major malaise. The U.S. Energy Information Agency had to scale back

    its optimistic prediction for 2010 and 2011 as the economy sputtered. Oil prices started trending down

    into the low seventies and looked as if they were going to continue their fall. That was, until they got the

    boost of a lifetime when the Fed signaled once again that it would print more money. Oil prices then

    took off on an incredible bullish journey, hitting a two-year price target high of $88.63. The Fed tried to

    defeat oil deation expectations and the oil bulls triumphantly called for a straight shot up to $100.

    We did not hit that $100 level in 2010, and we may not in 2011 if the dollar rebounds.

    A WORD OR TWO ABOUT THE OTHER ENERGY COMPLEX MARKETS

    RESEARCH

    Source: Short-term Energy Outlook, June 2010

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    Natural gas has been

    in a decline for about

    a year, but that is not

    to say consumers have

    benetted from the lowerprices. We are now

    apparently in a stability

    zone with unleaded gas

    prices. There was some

    upward movement in Q3

    of 2010, but only back to

    the spring prices. Diesel

    fuel continues to trade

    in a range. The U.S.

    has unused production

    facilities and no new

    reneries on the drawing

    board. U.S. demand has stabilized and world demand is projected to continue to grow modestly. The

    retail price is not cheap and is well off of all-time highs. The problem is that consumer income is at, so

    there will be issues with paying higher prices.

    Upside targets in the oil complex products are all-time highs, but with current economic conditions, that

    kind of elevated pricing would be disastrous.

    RESEARCH

    Source: EIA, AEO2009

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    G R A I N S O U T L O O Kby Tim Hannagan

    [email protected]

    800-935-6487

    OVERACHING THEMES FOR GRAINS

    Funds will continue as mega-buyers in futures

    Continued increase in global demand for grains and oilseeds

    Battle between corn and beans to secure acres

    Ethanol and bio-fuel demand

    Look for grains to exceed the highs of 2010 before the 2011 U.S. harvest begins. Ending stocks of both

    corn and soybeans were dangerously low as the spring planting season of 2010 got underway. Price

    strength will occur in each grain to ensure each has enough acres being produced, so that we dont run

    out, even in the event of a growing season drought. Farmers will plant only the grains in strong export

    demand corn, beans and spring wheat at the expense of hayelds, alfalfa and oats, which havelittle export market demand at this time. Oats may be the biggest loser with acreage under 3 million

    acres from 4.5 million acres only a few years ago, creating the tightest of all grain inventories and the

    potential for a substantial supply-side rally.

    In terms of fundamentals, the foundation we have is very similar to the supply and demand ratio we have

    seen for the past two to three years. U.S. grain prices are poised to rally going into the planting season

    in order to win additional acreage away from competing crops.

    Another bullish fundamental that persists is the growing world bio fuel demand corn to make ethanol

    and soyoil, which is also an ingredient in bio fuel. This occurs in tandem with ever-expanding food

    needs in emerging markets Asia primarily, and China in particular.

    MEGA-FUNDS AND THEIR INTENTIONS

    I think one of the biggest forces on pricing in 2011 will be the mega-funds. Since the historic high grain

    moves of 2008, there has been a change in the roster of grain market movers and shakers. Before then,

    control was levied by large individual traders and some agricultural trading funds wielding $5 million to

    $10 million; commercial exporting and processing companies controlled the more seasonal trends. Now

    outside investors funds have a far greater role, as they have benetted from regulatory changes.

    New laws allow money from stock trading companies to trade commodities, once considered too

    risky. These monies used to sit in massive, billion-dollar, conservative, stocks through managed

    accounts. These funds hold monies from teacher, auto and private company pension funds. Practically

    overnight, weve seen the funds go from $5 million to $10 million ag-minded funds to $50 billion to$100 billion trend-following and index funds. These index funds were given hedge account status with

    no trading limits on positions held. They can only be long the market, leaving selling as only a prot-

    taking result. Since these new fund monies originated from the stock market mindset, it is easy for the

    money managers to keep buying just like years of stock buying has trained them. They know little of

    fundamentals of commodities, and they dont care. They never take physical delivery of the product.

    Therefore, their strategy is 90 percent technical. The pattern is to aggressively buy the rst half of the

    month and sell only on bursts of prots before month-end. Many funds have clauses in their contracts

    that allow them to pay handsome bonuses on prots taken before month-end. This makes for an easy

    decision. There is much talk of restricting these funds and limiting the position size they can hold. Dont

    think that is likely. A large portion of the fund monies comes in from foreign trading entities. The fear

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    of regulators is that trading restrictions would drive monies away from U.S. exchanges to newly-formed

    exchanges in other countries. The U.S. exchanges also are reluctant to push for trading limits, as soaring

    open interest and daily trading volume continue to bring in exorbitant amounts of capital through

    exchange fees.

    Additionally, the government regulatory agency in charge of commodities, once underfunded and under

    managed, now sees regulatory fees per trade bringing in monies and enhanced power and control. These

    massive trading funds are not going away. They are getting better organized and expanding. Total

    managed fund monies at the end of October 2010 totaled $340 billion, double the amount that drove

    prices of grains to historic highs in 2008. A new agricultural grain fund out of China begins trading in

    early 2011, and it manages $50 billion. That and similar-sized new funds will overbuy every event in the

    market this year.

    ETHANOL UPDATE

    Our country is resolved to expand ethanol production with mandates for future energy supplies in

    place. Current estimates indicate about 40 percent of the U.S. corn crop for the 2010-2011 crop year somewhere in the neighborhood of 5 billion bushels or just a bit more are projected to be used in

    ethanol. A movement by anti-ethanol senators to end all ethanol subsidies and tax breaks is afoot. This

    end to subsidies is inevitable. The initial reaction would be bearish, then back to neutral and long-term

    bullish. We no longer need subsidies to encourage ethanol production and usage. We no longer pay

    private entities to build ethanol plants businesses and individuals are doing it at their own expense,

    gladly. Ethanol has arrived, and not just domestically. The business of ethanol production will do far

    better without government involvement and now is in the strong hands of rural corn growers and ethanol

    plant managers with solid hedging and marketing skills. This is evolution from 2009 and before, when

    many ethanol plants owned by entities in the green movement went bankrupt.

    WORLD FOOD SUPPLY AND LIVESTOCK FEED DEMANDChina, the worlds most populous nation, has mandated a more protein-rich diet for its citizens. China

    intends to increase hog and chicken populations for meat protein. Their feed corn and soy meal comes

    mainly from the U.S. but also other world sources. Their strategic grain reserves were sharply depleted

    after a poor 2010 growing season, in spite of their collective appetite being whetted for ever more

    soybeans that yield high-protein, tasty soy oil for cooking. Improvement in family incomes is also a

    demand consideration. It is projected that 40 million Chinese again this year will move from a poverty

    class to middle-class status. China has 22 percent of the worlds population and only 7 percent of the

    worlds plantable land. This keeps their import needs on an upward curve.

    In fact, the U.S. is a major supplier of corn to China, but the worlds number two corn exporter,

    Argentina, is an important back-up. Adding a more protein-rich diet through added meat is a trend

    echoing across Asia, and increasingly across Europe, where bread used to be their diet staple. China isbusily trying to stockpile reserves so it doesnt get caught short of inventory, especially if there is a price

    spike to record highs similar to the one in 2008. China plans to spend $3 billion in storage facilities for

    storing some 40 percent of their grain imports. India plans to create 15 million metric tons of storage

    space along with similar numbers from key European Union nations.

    The most curious and potentially bullish plan stems from Brazil planning a partnership with Argentina and

    other South American producers of grains and oilseeds to deal jointly with buyers in Asia and elsewhere.

    This cartel would combine to supply about half of the worlds exportable soybean production and it

    would be among the top three corn exporters. Cartels traditionally control distribution of inventory and

    manipulate prices. South America has been known to store other commodities in the past such as sugar and

    coffee. When supplies are ample, they increase storage to create an articial tightness and when supplies

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    tighten they hold back inventory for higher prices before selling. Regardless of intent, for a cartel to

    succeed, it needs the power of inventory and this looks to further tighten world stocks.

    PRICE PROJECTIONS REVISITEDIn last years report (PFGBEST Research Outlook 2010, published in December, 2009), I projected July

    corn futures to trade to the $5.25 to $5.60 level. They reached $5.28 in late September, then the high

    of the year at $6.00. I wrote July soybeans would trade to $11.75 to $12.25, prices hit and exceeded in

    October. July wheat was pegged in our summary to trade to $6.75 to $7.10 and it hit $6.75 July 31 and

    the high of the year came at $8.70. These projections beat the industry in accuracy. They were by far

    the most bullish of all analysts surveyed for a Reuters report last January. That is why my report here

    features more general insight into why I feel grains will reach new highs again this year. Weekly updates

    are posted online with plenty of ongoing price projections:

    http://www.PFGBEST.com/services/research/blogs/grain-report.asp.

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    L I V E S T O C K O U T L O O Kby Robert Shor

    [email protected]

    800-280-4566

    OVERARCHING THEMES FOR THE LIVESTOCK AND MEATS COMPLEX

    Feed costs should keep livestock herd expansion in check

    Cash hogs again to see seasonal highs in spring or summer

    Consumers ability to purchase will determine whether 2011 sees new all-time highs in

    retail beef prices

    Cattle futures to again see seasonal, annual Q4 highs in 2011

    Most data suggests beef production will decline marginally about 2.5 percent in 2011, with pork

    production up 1.5 percent. Overall, look for total red meat supplies to remain steady, and in line with the

    markets of 2010.

    HOGS: SUMMARY OF 2010 MARKET FACTORS

    After negative hog returns in 2008 and 2009, when the average reported loss was about $20 per head,

    U.S. producers elected not to increase pork production in 2010. For the rst six months of 2010, pork

    imports into the U.S. were up one percent, and domestic exports increased 7.9 percent. Imports of

    Canadian feeder pigs for the rst six months of 2010 were down 15 percent from 2009 levels.

    USDA reported on July 1 that cold storage stocks declined 53 percent from 2009 to 413 million pounds.

    Prices for wholesale pork rose 40 percent from 2009, even though per-capita pork consumption was

    the lowest since 1997. Consumers were reluctant to pay the higher prices and that is what diminished

    consumption.

    Cash hog prices made seasonal, late-spring highs of $55 to $57 the third week in May, 2010. What

    followed was a normal seasonal break in prices but it was a month or two earlier than usual in 2010.

    The higher-than-normal price and economic weakness was the reason for the price break coming earlier

    in the year consumers exhibited reluctance to pay record high retail prices for their chops, roasts, loins

    and bacon. Export bookings were also lighter than anticipated during the late spring and early summer.

    Third quarter 2010 pork exports tumbled to 952 million pounds, off 5.4 percent from 2009. At the same

    time, Q3 hog imports into the U.S. increased 15 percent from the year before. The combined inuence

    of lower exports and higher imports from July through September 2010 saw pork prices erode 12

    percent versus the normal seasonal dip of seven percent.

    As others have reported in their annual sector summaries, the competitive U.S. dollar, and faster-

    recovering world economies versus the U.S. economy, contributed to export reductions and lower hog

    prices for the latter part of 2010.

    Fourth quarter 2010 hog pricing continued to decline to the $44 - $47 area. Much of this weakness is

    blamed on higher hog weights, up some ve pounds a head from 2009 weights, attributed to improved

    new-crop feed corn quality.

    HOGS: 2011 MARKET CONDITIONS

    Pork production for 2011 is anticipated to rise very slightly (1-1/2 percent) to 22.6 billion pounds. This

    small increase is based on expectations of a minimal year-over-year increase in farrowings, litter rates

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    and increases in dressed weights due to higher feed costs. USDA forecasts pork exports for 2011 at

    4.7 billion pounds, a 4.6 percent rise from 2010, while swine imports from Canada are anticipated to

    increase just 2.5 percent in 2011.

    The USDA looks for Q1 pork production in 2011 to come in at about 5610 billion pounds more or lessunchanged from the same period in 2010. Its estimate for Q2 pork production is 5410 billion pounds or

    a mere two percent above 2010.

    If corn prices go above $6 in 2011, pork margins could be squeezed enough to keep producers from

    expanding Q4 production. Hog expansion usually starts ve quarters after a return to protability. With

    the second quarter 2010 giving producers their rst prots in over two years, this model would indicate

    Q3 2011 hog kills will exceed 2010 levels. Higher feed costs would keep this from happening.

    Assuming 2011 pork production rises a tad (1-1/2 percent), exports at 21 percent of production,

    Canadian swine imports not more than two to three percent more than 2010, and continued consumer

    acceptance of high-priced pork, the normal seasonal trends will apply in cash hogs prices will decline

    to annual lows in Q4. Look for a cash hog rise into the middle of February followed by a modest sell-off into April before making summer highs.

    PRICE PROJECTIONS FOR CASH HOGS

    In Q1, cash hog prices in 2011 should average between $51 and $53. Pricing will vary from $54 to $57

    in Q2 and Q3, before breaking to the low $50 area for the last quarter. With current break-evens for hog

    producers of $50 per head, 2011 should be a protable year.

    CATTLE: SUMMARY OF 2010

    The U.S. beef harvest rose a modest 2.3 percent in 2010 from 2009. Dressed cattle weights were a bit lower

    most of the year, and production ended up to be fractionally more for the year (up 0.3 percent) at 25.7 billion

    pounds. Beef sales for 2010 were running a third higher than 2009 levels at this writing. The increased

    exports/decreased imports took roughly 500 million pounds of beef production away from the consumer

    market. That 500-million-pound gure represents approximately one week of U.S. beef production.

    Per-capital beef consumption during 2010 declined about three percent from 2009 and 2011 will show a

    further decline of one to two percent from 2010 levels, to 57.8 pounds. High feed pricing is causing the

    nations cattle herd to continue to contract. Beefs market share has declined from about 34 percent of

    total red meat consumed in the U.S. in 1990 to a projected 28 percent in 2011.

    Finished cattle prices averaged $92 in 2007 and 2008 but fell to $83 in 2009 because of recession fears.

    It appears 2010 average steer prices in Nebraska for the rst three quarters (last data available) averaged

    $93.75. It is possible that when the data is complete, it could show $95, which would topple the record

    high of $94.27 from 2008.

    Steer price increases in 2010 centered on two inuences consumers seemed to pay up for high-priced

    retail beef; and, the cattle feeding industry kept forward sales extremely current. With futures at a

    discount to cash, it became easy for cattle feedlots to sell their cattle and thereby cover their hedges for a

    nice prot.

    As cash cattle prices advanced, beef packers had to price boxed beef higher. In the chain of events,

    grocers paid up for boxes, and had to raise prices to their retail consumer. Retail beef prices now

    average $4.37 a pound. This is an all-time high and 14 percent above the 5-year average of $3.84 a

    pound. At the present time it appears retailers are happy with their narrowing beef prot margin, and

    beef consumers continue to buy high-priced beef.

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    STRONG FUNDAMENTALS IN PLACE FOR 2011 IN BEEF

    High feed prices will keep cattle prices strong for years to come. We will continue to see the numbers

    of cows slaughtered at high levels compared to the demand base. Importantly, heifers will be a higher-

    than-normal percent of daily slaughter. If heifer retention does not begin in 2011 or at least by 2012, we

    can expect beef production to be steady or decrease through the next several years.

    U.S. beef production is presently forecast at 25.1 billion pounds for 2011. This would be a 600 million-

    pound reduction from 2010 (down 2.3 percent.) Exports are forecast at 2.2 billion pounds, 300 million

    pounds less than in 2010. Beef and veal imports are forecast at 2.8 billion pounds with exports of 2.2

    billion pounds. This gives us a beef trade decit of 600 million pounds. The U.S. generally runs a

    decit in this, and the forecast for 2011 year shows one of the smallest decits in the past ten years.

    Beef exports will show the rst decline, year-on-year, since 2004, and this decline comes from a

    tightening domestic supply, not lack of international interest.

    USDA is forecasting a 590 million pound reduction in 2011 beef tonnage and a 430 million pound

    increase in pork production.

    CATTLE AND BEEF PRICE PROJECTIONS

    Commercial beef production will increase approximately 2.6 percent from Q1 to Q2 but that could be

    bullish, since the normal 5-year average is more like eight percent.

    Assuming consumer disposable income allows continued high-priced retail consumption and the corn

    market can stay under $6.25 per bushel, cattle prices should stay between $96 and $99 during Q1.

    Prices through Q2 should average $99 to $103. Then, for Q3, a normal seasonal decline would project

    pricing between $95 and $98. The last quarter of 2011, I foresee a seasonal increase to between $97 and

    $102 barring extraneous developments.

    Expect the cattle futures market to remain volatile as traders watch beef retail demand, feed pricing and

    stock indices.

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    S O F T S O U T L O O Kby Robin Rosenberg

    [email protected]

    800-611-6974

    OVERARCHING THEMES FOR SOFTS

    Increasing demand as world population and wealth expands

    Weather in growing regions is always a wild card

    The bull moves in the soft commodities could very well just be getting started. We are entering a time

    unlike any we have witnessed in the past. The increase in demand for these commodities from the

    worlds mushrooming middle classes along with a steady increase in the worlds overall population are

    straining Mother Earths ability to provide more of these physical commodities.

    COFFEE

    Coffee drinking is on the increase

    everywhere in the world, and consumers

    are purchasing high quality coffee.

    Price is not a deterrent. Many coffee

    producing countries have or will be

    allocating large amounts of government

    capital to increase production and

    consumption. Brazil is the worlds

    largest coffee producer. Here is the

    kicker: 50 percent of Brazils crop is of

    poor quality. Coffee prices have risen 50 percent in 2010. I would not be surprised in the least if coffee

    futures rise to the $3-a-pound level in 2011!

    COCOA

    The main crop harvests are taking place

    at this moment. Weather conditions in

    cocoa growing areas could not have

    been much better. Bountiful supplies

    have been expected and priced in, and

    that is what we got. With all of this

    supply, we have a cocoa market that

    continues to exhibit price strength.

    Although supplies are abundant, it is

    reported that any cocoa for sale is being

    bought up as soon as it is available. Cocoa prices are affected greatly by macroeconomic conditions.

    Chocolate is a luxury item and it is among the rst grocery items to be axed when money is tight.

    Demand, however, looks to be greater than supply. This scenario can only play out one way. Look for

    higher cocoa prices in 2011, as long as the entire world economy is not in a downspin.

    COTTON

    Cotton has been in one rip-snorting bull market! Opening at $75.90 per cwt in 2010, cotton futures

    traded as high as $157.23 during the year. Although the cotton contract we trade is 100 percent U.S.

    grown, worldwide production affects our market. The 2010 U.S. cotton crop was a bin buster. Other

    global producers were not so lucky. Major ooding damaged the cotton crops of China, India and

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    Pakistan. The U.S. made up the

    difference. We have exported 85

    percent of the USDAs export estimate

    in a marketing season that began

    October 1, 2010. If exports continue atthis torrid pace, domestic supplies of

    cotton will run out before the 2011 crop

    is harvested. The last USDA inventory

    report was bullish, as U.S. cotton stocks

    were lowered by 200,000 bales. Higher

    cotton prices in 2011 are in the cards!

    SUGAR

    Sugar production this season was

    expected to bring a surplus, following

    the supply decit in 2009. In Februaryof 2010, sugar reached a high of 30.40

    cents per pound. A break of mammoth

    proportions followed. Sugar traded as

    low as 13 cents in May! Then, the rst

    hints relating to the overall world crop

    size began to surface. As the growing

    season progressed, several catastrophic

    weather events took hold. Drought, and res related to drought, took place in the Russian sugar beet

    regions. Heavy rains caused ooding in China, India and Pakistan, damaging large sugar acreages.

    Needless to say, the surplus ipped and became a decit. This pushed sugar prices to a 20-year high.

    Nothing short of a banner growing season worldwide will pressure current prices.

    POSSIBLE SURPRISES FOR 2011 THAT COULD BE OF CRITICAL IMPACT

    A large increase in supply would see the softs reverse and head lower. The amount of tillable acreage is

    limited. Mother Nature, once again, is the wild card. Weather conditions will make or break a crop. The

    La Nina phenomena present in the equatorial Pacic Ocean can negatively affect tropical commodity

    production; drought or heavy rains could again wreak havoc on all soft commodity crops.

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    RESEARCH The outlooks provided herein represent the professional opinions of the PFGBEST Research analysts and

    should not be construed as statements of fact. There is a substantial risk of loss in trading commodity futuresoptions and off-exchange foreign currency products. Past performance is not indicative of future results

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