Wheat prices tumble over one percent ahead of the weekend

Wheat futures skidded over one percent in American trade as the dollar index rose according to their inverse relation, which follows a spate of data from the world's largest wheat exporter.
 
As of 08:33 GMT, wheat futures due on March 16 shed 1.27% to $447.75 a bushel from the opening price of $453.50, with a session-low at $445.75, and a high at $454.00, while the dollar index rose 0.07% to 101.09 from the opening of 101.02.
 
Earlier data from the world's largest economy showed new home sales up 3.7% in January to 555 thousand units, compared to 7.0% drop in December to 535K, while analysts expected a 6.4% rise to 571K.

Additionally, the University of Michigan's final consumer confidence survey rose slightly to 96.3 in February from 95.7 in the preliminary reading, besting expectations of 96.1.