Soybean futures edge down in American trade

Soybean futures tilted lower even as the dollar index lost ground, following a basket of data from the US, the world's largest soybean producer and exporter. 

As of 08:58 GMT, soybean futures due on January 15 declined 0.10% to $9.8900 from the opening of $9.9000, while the dollar index shed 0.12% to 93.97 from the opening of 94.08. 

Earlier US data showed existing home sales rose 2.0% in October to 5.48 million units, compared to a 0.4% rise in September to 5.37 million, while analysts expected a 0.2% increase to 5.40 million. 

Otherwise, the US Department of Agriculture reported that 96% of the crop harvest has been wrapped up already so far in the marketing year ending next August, below the five-year average of 97%. 

The USDA's report on global supply and demand for November showed the soybean productivity per donam stabilizing at 49.5 bushels per donam, same as October and slightly above expectations of 49.3 bushels.