CBOT soybeans advance on hopes for more US export demand

CHICAGO, July 16 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade soybean futures finished higher on Wednesday on hopes for increased U.S. export demand, analysts said.

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that exporters sold 120,000 metric tons of U.S. soybeans to undisclosed destinations for shipment in the 2025-26 marketing year.

• Traders wondered whether the buyer may be China, the world's biggest soybean importer, though it was not known.

• U.S. President Donald Trump said Indonesia, a top-five U.S. soybean importer, committed to purchasing $4.5 billion in American agricultural products as part of a trade deal.

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Thursday is expected to report weekly U.S. soybean export sales of 200,000 to 600,000 metric tons for 2024-25 and 150,000 to 400,000 metric tons for 2025-26, analysts said in a Reuters poll.

• New-crop CBOT November soybeans SX25 ended up 18-3/4 cents at $10.20-1/2 a bushel.

• CBOT August soyoil BOQ25 finished up 0.26 cent at 54.82 cents per pound.

• CBOT August soymeal SMQ25 closed $3.10 higher at $268.40 per short ton as the market rebounded after setting a contract low of $264.50 on Tuesday.