commodity prices

Hedge funds raised their wagers on higher commodity prices by the most since July 2010 after signs of accelerating U.S. growth bolstered optimism that demand for raw materials will strengthen.

Speculators increased wagers on rising commodity prices by the most since August 2010 on signs that sustained economic growth will drive a rebound in raw materials from their first annual slump since the recession.

Brazil had record trade figures in 2011, logging $256 billion in exports and maintaining a $29.7 billion surplus on the back of high commodity prices and strong Chinese demand, officials said Monday.

Hedge funds reduced bets on higher commodity prices to the lowest level since 2009 just as raw materials headed for their biggest weekly rally in two months.

China is watching whether the Federal Reserve launches a new stimulus that might hurt China by pushing up commodity prices, a Cabinet researcher said Thursday.

Stocks look set to open mixed Wednesday as investors turned cautious before news from the Fed, offsetting gains in computer maker Dell and a rebound in commodity prices.

Since the Panic of 2008, the Fed's easy-money policy has been blamed for a global surge in oil and other commodity prices.

With oil prices are falling, it’s time to give the Fed some credit.

Higher commodity prices and winter blizzards that shuttered businesses and delayed construction were among the main causes of the slowdown.

Wall Street is set for a higher open Friday, led by energy and material stocks, as optimism about increased economic demand pushed commodity prices higher.

Increased commodity prices and strong demand have sent prices of farmland skyrocketing, making it more difficult for young and beginning farmers to get established but strengthening the balance sheets for those who own the land.Across the Corn Belt, the price of farmland was on the rise in 2010.