Nov. 3 (Bloomberg) -- Commodities had the biggest monthly drop since at least 1956 on concern that a slump in global economic growth will sap demand for raw materials. Goldcorp Inc. reported third-quarter earnings that trailed analysts' estimates after labor and energy costs surged. Gold, silver and copper fell. Weyerhaeuser Co., the largest North American lumber producer, said third-quarter profit more than doubled. Soybeans, corn and wheat declined. COMMODITIES INVESTMENT Commodities Post Biggest Monthly Drop in 52 Years on Economy Commodities had the biggest monthly drop since at least 1956 on concern that a slump in global economic growth will sap demand for raw materials. In October, the Reuters/Jefferies CRB Index of 19 raw materials plunged 22 percent. Crude oil tumbled by a third, the most ever, and gold dropped the most in 26 years. FORESTRY PRODUCTS Weyerhaeuser Profit More Than Doubles on Asset Sales Weyerhaeuser Co., the largest North American lumber producer, said third-quarter profit more than doubled as it sold assets amid a U.S. homebuilding slump. PRECIOUS METALS, GEMS Goldcorp Profit Misses Estimates as Labor, Energy Costs Surge Goldcorp Inc., the world's second-largest gold producer by market value, reported third-quarter earnings that trailed analysts' estimates after labor and energy costs surged. Gold Posts Biggest Monthly Drop in 28 Years as Dollar Climbs Gold futures fell, posting the biggest monthly decline in 28 years, as the dollar climbed, reducing the appeal of the precious metal as an alternative investment. Gold dropped $20.30, or 2.7 percent, to $718.20 an ounce in New York. Silver declined 5.5 cents, or 0.6 percent, to $9.73 an ounce. Platinum, Palladium Climb After Falling by Half From Records Platinum rose for the first week in three, and palladium gained on expectations demand for the metals used in car-exhaust parts and for making jewelry may return after the metals have dropped by almost half this year. Platinum gained $1, or 0.1 percent, to $831.60 an ounce in New York. Palladium jumped $2.85, or 1.4 percent, to $199.55 an ounce. CHEMICALS LyondellBasell to Idle Ethylene Plant as Demand Wanes LyondellBasell Industries' Equistar unit will idle an olefin plant in Texas for several months because a weak economy is reducing demand for chemicals used to make plastics. INDUSTRIAL METALS, MINING Copper Falls, Capping Record Monthly Slide, as Demand Slumps Copper prices fell, capping the biggest monthly drop ever, on speculation that a deepening economic slump will reduce global demand for metals. Copper dropped 6.15 cents, or 3.3 percent, to $1.829 a pound in New York. AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES Corn, Soybeans Decline as Slowing World Economy Cuts Grain Use Corn and soybeans fell, capping their fourth straight monthly declines, on speculation the deepening economic slump is reducing global demand for food, animal feed and fuel made from the crops. Corn dropped 8 cents, or 2 percent, to $4.015 a bushel in Chicago. Soybeans dropped 10 cents, or 1.1 percent, to $9.33 a bushel. Wheat Falls as Economic Slump May Curb Demand for U.S. Supplies Wheat fell for a second day to its worst monthly loss in 22 years as a worsening economic crisis and a rallying dollar eroded global demand for supplies from the U.S., the world's biggest exporter of the grain. Wheat dropped 1.75 cents, or 0.3 percent, to $5.3625 a bushel in Chicago. Cattle Prices Rise on Signs of Falling Animal Supply; Hogs Drop Cattle rose for a fifth day, posting the biggest weekly gain since 2004, on speculation that the supply of fattened animals to U.S. slaughterhouses is shrinking. Cattle advanced 1.25 cents, or 1.4 percent, to 92.7 cents a pound in Chicago. Feeder cattle gained 0.8 cent, or 0.8 percent, to 98.05 cents a pound. Hogs fell 1.2 cents, or 2.1 percent, to 54.8 cents a pound. SOFT COMMODITIES Orange Juice Falls as Stronger Dollar Crimps Commodity Demand Orange juice fell amid a slump in commodities after the dollar strengthened, making raw materials priced in the U.S. currency more expensive for overseas buyers. Orange juice dropped 3.4 cents, or 4.1 percent, to 80.3 cents a pound in New York. Coffee Price Rises in N.Y. on Bets Recession Won't Cut Demand Coffee prices rose, gaining 4 percent for the week, on speculation slowing global economic growth may not reduce consumption. Arabica coffee climbed 2 cents, or 1.8 percent, to $1.13 a pound in New York. In London, robusta coffee fell $7, or 0.4 percent, to $1,603 a metric ton. Cotton Posts Worst Month Since 1986 on Slower China Demand Cotton prices fell, posting their steepest monthly decline in at least 22 years, on concern that China, the world's biggest user, will curb purchases from the U.S. as global demand for textile products slumps. Cotton dropped 0.8 cent, or 1.8 percent, to 44.29 cents a pound in New York. Cocoa Has Biggest Monthly Slide in Five Years as Dollar Climbs Cocoa fell, capping the biggest monthly decline in five years, as the dollar's rally eroded the appeal of U.S. commodities. Cocoa dropped $31, or 1.5 percent, to $2,053 a metric ton in New York. Sugar Rises in N.Y., Gaining 12% This Week, on Short Supplies Sugar futures rose, jumping 12 percent this week, as lower output in Brazil, the biggest producer, contributes to a global deficit. Raw sugar gained 0.17 cent, or 1.4 percent, to 12.02 cents a pound in New York.

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