This Livestock ETF Is Set to Rise on Corn Stocks’ Historic Drop
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Corn stocks are expected to plunge to a 13-year low, according to the US Department of Agriculture, setting up a great play in a little-known livestock ETF.
MarketWatch reports that corn stocks are set to suffer because US farmers are cutting back corn acreage this spring to grow more soybeans.
Corn futures for July delivery today closed down 1 cent at $6.2925 a bushel. The contract had ended Thursday’s session at $6.3025 a bushel, an all-time high.
Meanwhile, the price of hogs has barely inched its way higher in the last two years — it’s risen by a measly 17% since the beginning of 2006. When you adjust for inflation, hogs are only up 9.9%. So it’s not difficult to see how spiraling corn prices will play havoc with livestock prices — particular hogs and cattle.
“The prices of all commodities – and corn in particular – have soared, but hogs remain as cheap as ever,” says Ian Davis in The Growth Stock wire.
“Hogs, like most commodities, went nowhere for 30 years. In 1977, hogs sold for about 55.5 cents per pound. Today hogs sell for only about 79 cents per pound. That’s a rise of 42% in 31 years, or an annualized return of 1.1%… well below the inflation rate.
“But now, the brutal combination of pricey corn, increased energy costs (for processing and shipping), and cheap hogs is wreaking havoc on hog farmers worldwide.
“This trend cannot continue. Hog farmers are not running charities. When the input costs for hog producers soar, the price of hogs must also rise. By buying hogs, we are piggybacking (excuse the pun) on the uptrend in agriculture and crude oil.”
Read on here to find out what livestock ETF Ian recommends to his readers to profit from corn’s upswing.
Tom Dyson also thinkswe’re approaching a major bull move in hogs and cattle.
“When the gold price rises jewelry gets more expensive,” says Tom in DailyWealth. “It’s the same way with farm animals. When the corn price rises, livestock must get more expensive. Corn has doubled in the past 18 months, but livestock prices are still in the same range they were six years ago. They will catch up with corn.
“Here’s how you play it: Buy a livestock ETF. Two trade in London under the symbols CATL.L and HOGS.L. They track the Dow Jones AIG sub-indexes for live cattle and hogs.
Comment by Futures on 16 May 2008:
The set includes four sets of corn holders (totaling eight individual corn holders). Futures