31.   In CHICAGO, soybean futures rose amid persistent concern that supplies will fall to critically low levels before the next harvest.

32.   In CHICAGO, Hog futures were steady as expectations that a snowstorm in the Midwest would disrupt sales to meatpackers offset persistent concern that Asian demand is waning.

33.   In CHICAGO, soybeans slid amid persistent concern that Brazil will harvest a record crop and undercut U.S. prices to gain a bigger share of the world market.

34.   In LONDON, coffee rose as persistent concern about Indonesian robusta crops partly offset expectations of a large harvest in Vietnam.

35.   In LONDON, platinum fell amid persistent concern the slowdown in the Japanese economy is affecting demand for jewelry made out of the precious metal.

36.   In LONDON, copper fell amid persistent concern sagging Asian consumption will continue into next year, at a time when global production is increasing.

37.   In LONDON, gold slipped close to four-year lows amid persistent concern over official gold sales and a shortage of investment demand.

38.   In overseas markets, U.S. stocks fell again on Friday amid persistent concern that higher interest rates and a stronger U.S. dollar will erode corporate profits this year.

39.   In LONDON, gold fell amid persistent concern over central bank sales and reduced demand in Southeast Asia because of the currency crisis there.

40.   In LONDON, palladium and platinum prices rose amid persistent concern over Russian supplies of the precious metals and as South African miners struck for a day.