World Vegetable Oil Prices Mixed on U.S./Chinese Tensions

World vegetable oil prices were mixed on Monday. Palm oil futures ended slightly lower on profit-taking following an increase in political tension between the United States and Chinese governments that triggered selling across financial markets. Soybean oil futures rose as crude oil prices rallied back to unchanged following a decline at the opening of U.S. trading.

Soybean oil futures gained a little more than 3/4 percent (July contract +22 basis points per pound) to settle close to the upper end of the recent trading range. Prices were supported by buying at the five-day exponential moving average but were limited by selling just below the upper Bolling band. Data released by the United States…