CORRECTED-CBOT corn futures dip on weaker export news ahead of holiday weekend

CHICAGO, April 2 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade corn ended lower on Thursday on sluggish weekly export news, and as traders adjusted their positions ahead of the three-day Easter weekend, market analysts said.

• CBOT May corn CK26 settled 2 cents lower at $4.52-1/4 per bushel.

• Grain markets will be closed on Friday, in observance of Good Friday.

• Analysts said some of the technical trading was in response to Wednesday night's televised address by President Donald Trump, who said the U.S. would continue attacks on Iran.

• The speech dampened investor hopes of an imminent end to the Iran war and stoked concerns of continued high prices for fertilizer and fears of prolonged disruptions to oil supply. Those fears sent oil prices surging, with Brent crude LCOc1 rallying more than 7% to around $110 a barrel on Thursday.

• Meanwhile, a rise in the U.S. dollar index =USD pressured grains and soybean markets, as strength in the dollar makes commodities more expensive for overseas buyers.

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported on Thursday that U.S. corn export sales for the week ended March 26 were 1.1 million metric tons for 2025-26, down 20% from the prior four-week average. Analysts expected 900,000 to 1.6 million tons. EXP/CORN