DTN Closing Livestock Comment 04/05 15:31

DTN Closing Livestock Comment 04/05 15:31 Wide Price Swings in Livestock Trade Friday Livestock futures saw wide shifts higher and lower Friday as traders adjusted positions ahead of the weekend. By Rick Kment DTN Analyst GENERAL COMMENTS: Livestock futures shifted higher and lower through the session Friday as traders focused on end-of-the-week position-taking following previous gains. This may spark renewed buyer support Monday morning. From Friday to Friday, livestock futures scored the following changes: Apr LC up $0.35; Jun LC up $1.35; Apr FC up $0.90; May FC up $1.45; Apr LH up $1.65; May LH up $9.68. Light cash cattle trade developed through the North early afternoon Friday with prices mostly $126 per cwt live and $204 to $205 dressed. This is generally steady with last week's average. Some additional trade is likely to develop through the North the rest of Friday afternoon and evening, but the tone has likely been set with most late trade expected to be in the current market range. Activity is quiet in the South without any additional bids. This indicates that trade in the South is likely finished for the week following the trade seen Wednesday. The National Daily Direct afternoon hog report was $0.69 lower ($67-$78.50, weighted average of $75.79) on 6,819 head sold. Corn futures were lower in light-to-moderate trade with May down 2 3/4 cents per bushel. The Dow Jones Index was 19 points higher with Nasdaq up 40 points.