DTN will be watching initial jobless claims, trade deficit and factory orders. Fed chairman Jerome Powell's comments regarding future rate hikes should be released Thursday. We will also be watching for more developments on the Ukraine export deal and any export sales news, along with any changes in weather.
Weather
A cold front moving into the middle of the country on Thursday does not have much precipitation with it early Thursday morning. It is expected to get much more active later Thursday as widespread showers and thunderstorms develop from west Texas up through Minnesota. Storms on the southern end from Kansas southward are likely to be more isolated but could be stronger with severe potential possible. It remains very warm ahead of the front with good fieldwork conditions. The showers will be skipping over much of the southwestern Plains as drought continues to hold its grip on next year's winter wheat crop.