USDA's export sales report, U.S. jobless claims and an update of the U.S. Drought Monitor are all due out at 7:30 a.m. CDT Thursday. A report on March U.S. existing home sales and an index of leading indicators is set for 9 a.m., followed by the Energy Department's weekly report of natural gas inventory at 9:30 a.m. CDT. USDA's monthly cold storage report will be released at 2 p.m. CDT.
Weather
Thursday will be mainly dry and cool to cold across the Midwest, with morning freeze threat and disruption to fieldwork and planting. Scattered light rain will move across portions of the Plains during the day; however, northern and far southwestern sectors face extreme fire threats due to dry conditions and strong winds.