CORN LEADS AG MARKETS HIGHER

Agricultural commodities have been on a tear over the last month. Chart 1 shows the Power Shares Agricultural Fund (DBA) in a parabolic rise since mid-June. Most of that surge is coming from grain markets as the result of drought conditions in the midwest. Corn, wheat, and soybean prices have seen especially big gains. Chart 2 shows the Corn Fund (CORN) surging to the highest level in ten months. Notice the big jump in volume in both agricultural ETFs. One stock group that is starting to benefit from surging grain prices is fertilizer stocks. Farmers will need to buy more fertiilzer to plant bigger crops during the next growing season.