Commodities

___ Administration official: Powell top candidate for Fed chair WASHINGTON (AP) — Jerome "Jay" Powell, a member of the Federal Reserve's board, is President Donald Trump's leading candidate to replace Janet Yellen as the head of the nation's central bank, with an announcement planned for Thursday, according to senior administration officials.

___ Administration official: Powell top candidate for Fed chair WASHINGTON (AP) — Jerome "Jay" Powell, a member of the Federal Reserve's board, is President Donald Trump's leading candidate to replace Janet Yellen as the head of the nation's central bank, with an announcement planned for Thursday, according to senior administration officials.

Wall Street pulled back from record-high territory on Monday, weighed down by a drop in Merck shares, as investors assessed President Donald Trump’s plan for corporate tax cuts.

Wall Street pulled back from record-high territory on Monday, weighed down by a drop in Merck shares, as investors assessed President Donald Trump’s plan for corporate tax cuts.

Brent oil slipped but held above $60 a barrel on Monday, near its highest since mid-2015, on expectations OPEC-led production cuts would be extended beyond March although rising Iraqi exports put a lid on prices.

Brent oil slipped but held above $60 a barrel on Monday, near its highest since mid-2015, on expectations OPEC-led production cuts would be extended beyond March although rising Iraqi exports put a lid on prices.

Wheat for Dec. was off 2.50 cents at 4.2475 a bushel; Dec. corn was unchanged at 3.4875 bushel; Dec. oats was up 2 cents at $2.6325 bushel; while Nov. soybeans lost 2.50 cents at $9.7275 a bushel.

Wheat for Dec. was off 2.50 cents at 4.2475 a bushel; Dec. corn was unchanged at 3.4875 bushel; Dec. oats was up 2 cents at $2.6325 bushel; while Nov. soybeans lost 2.50 cents at $9.7275 a bushel.

Technology companies are jumping Friday morning as investors applaud third-quarter reports from big names including Microsoft, Intel, and Alphabet, Google's parent company.

___ Tech giants lead rally as stocks near records; Amazon surges NEW YORK (AP) — US stocks set more records as major technology companies like Microsoft and Google parent company Alphabet lead the charge after they reported strong quarterly results.

Oil prices rose more 1 percent on Friday on support among the world's top producers for extending a deal to cut output and as the dollar retreated from three-month peaks.

Strong earnings from tech giants and Apple's upbeat statement on its iPhone X demand lifted the Nasdaq Composite index 2 percent and led the gains on Wall Street.

Wheat for Dec. was off 4.50 cents at 4.2725 a bushel; Dec. corn fell 1.75 cents at 3.4875 bushel; Dec. oats was up 2.75 cents at $2.6525 bushel; while Nov. soybeans rose 4 cents at $9.7525 a bushel.

Wheat for Dec. was off 4.50 cents at 4.2725 a bushel; Dec. corn fell 1.75 cents at 3.4875 bushel; Dec. oats was up 2.75 cents at $2.6525 bushel; while Nov. soybeans rose 4 cents at $9.7525 a bushel.

Grain futures were mixed Friday in early trading on the Chicago Board of Trade.

Chevron Corp reported a lower-than-expected quarterly profit on Friday as U.S. production slipped, offsetting a rise in oil and natural gas prices.

Chevron Corp reported a lower-than-expected quarterly profit on Friday as U.S. production slipped, offsetting a rise in oil and natural gas prices.

Exxon is reporting third-quarter net income of $3.97 billion, with the price of U.S. crude futures up 5 percent this year.

Exxon is reporting third-quarter net income of $3.97 billion, with the price of U.S. crude futures up 5 percent this year.

Exxon Mobil Corp, the world's largest publicly traded oil producer, posted a higher-than-expected quarterly profit on Friday as higher crude and natural gas prices more than offset the effects of a major hurricane on U.S. operations.