Summary Box: Corn prices slump after inventory surprises traders; wheat, beans also fall

Summary Box: Corn slumps on inventory surprise

SLUMPING CORN: Corn prices fell after a new government report said inventories were higher than expected, catching traders by surprise. The news comes as farmers are continuing to harvest a fresh crop throughout the Midwest.

FUELING OPTIMISM: Most energy prices rose on upbeat economic news that bolstered traders’ expectations for improving demand. The exception was natural gas, which settled lower on an increase in supply.

MIXED METALS: Metals prices were mixed. Gold, silver and copper fell while platinum and palladium settled higher.