Soybean prices held on Thursday, near the highest level since March 2018, while the US dollar steadied against most major currencies.

The US Department of Agriculture reported that Mexico and China have booked huge purchases of US soy.

The USDA stated that private US exporters sold 374,000 tonnes of soybean to China and 152.4,000 to Mexico, as well as 132,000 tonnes to other destinations.

According to this data, this is the largest US soybean deal since September 8.

The dollar index held against a basket of currencies at 93.6 points as of 22:18 GMT, after it hit a high of 93.7 and a low of 93.5.

Soybean November futures held at $10.05 a bushel, after hitting a high of $10.06 and a low of $10.04.

The major US stock indices rose on Thursday, driven by the energy and tech sectors, amid optimism about the US fiscal stimulus to coronavirus impact.

The US Labor Department released the unemployment claims reading today, at 0.840 million last week ending, worse than forecasts of 0.820 million.

The US government budget posted a deficit of $3.1 trillion during the 2020 fiscal year, which ended in September.

Bear in mind that US President Donald Trump decided to stop the talks with Democratic leaders about the second Covid-19 aid package, until after the presidential election.

Trump said yesterday that he is considering extending support to airlines and the paycheck protection program.

To the oil market, WTI October futures at Nymex rose 3.1% or $1.24, to close at $41.19 a barrel, after hitting a high of $41.3 and a low of $39.7.

Brent December futures at LME rose 3.2% or $1.35, to $43.34 a barrel, with a high of $43.4 and a low of $41.8.

As for stocks, Dow Jones rose 0.4% or 122 points to close at 28,425, after it hit a day high 28,459 and a low 28,265.

Nasdaq rose 0.5% or 56 points to 11,421, with a high 11,448 and a low 11,384

S&P 500 rose 0.8% or 27 points to 3,447, after hitting a high of 3,447 and a low of 3,428.

Silver prices tuned lower on Thursday, to erase gains hit earlier in the session.

The US Labor Department released the unemployment claims reading today, at 0.840 million last week ending, worse than forecasts of 0.820 million.

The US government budget posted a deficit of $3.1 trillion during the 2020 fiscal year, which ended in September.

The market absorbed President Trump remarks today of considering a Covid-19 aid package to support to airlines and the paycheck protection program.

The dollar index held against a basket of currencies  at 93.6 points as of 22:02 GMT, after it hit a high of 93.7 and a low of 93.5.

Silver December futures fell 0.1% or 2 cents, to close at $23.876 an ounce, with a day high of $24.355 and a low of $23.775.

The British pound rose slightly against the US dollar on Thursday, following Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey comments.

Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey said that the Brexit talks should result in a trade deal between the UK and the EU to prevent a no-deal Brexit scenario.

The bank governor also believes that a second wave of Covid infections will not be as destructive to the British economy as the first one.

Bailey confirmed that reaching a trade agreement is in the interest of both sides, adding that he's surprised that the EU wants to restrict where their citizens can do business.

Bailey stressed "we will certainly keep our markets open to the world," as the post-Brexit transition period near its end this year on January 31.

As of 21:26 GMT, GBP/USD rose by 0.1% to 1.2934, after hitting a day high of 1.2971 and a low of 1.2892.