Released on: August 31, 2008, 2:43 am

Press Release Author: MIchael Brown

Industry: Financial

Press Release Summary: French-based Portway Capital ramp up buys in Corn and Soybean
as inventories continue to fall and US weather woes continue.

Press Release Body: According to analysts at Portway Capital, a significant
percentage of US corn and soybean yields could be at risk of severe frost damage,
after the Midwest flooding earlier this year delayed the planting of crops in
affected regions.

The impact this could have on crop supplies is unclear, but conservative estimates
from numerous parties suggest potential losses of 500-800 bushels; a solitary piece
of data, which, according to a source within Portway Capital, has portfolio chiefs
ready to commit.

The argument looks to hold water. Further supply issues are presented by an
unusually dry season following the flooding across Midwest USA, meaning that crops
have failed to mature, increasing the likelihood of a later harvest and increased
frost damage. Added to the perennial problem of fuel prices its hard to see what
could possibly drive the downside.

For some weeks now, Portway Capital have been rumored to be quietly acquiring a
sizeable position in some of the more stagnant agriculture commodities, but recent
reports of possible workforce strikes in Argentina and news that barges are unable
to reach critical US ports such as New Orleans because of low water levels (those
that are getting through are still leaving with less load) has suddenly seen them in
the spotlight as the availability of the commodities looks to tighten and drives
prices. In fact many traders this week were openly questioning whether Portway
Capital were behind the heavy future buying seen in both mentioned commodities over
the past few days.

A spokesman for Portway Capital declined to comment, but numerous sources close to
the firm have made tongue-in-cheek references of late that their representatives
seemed "very well-informed on US weather cycles and the like", highly suggestive of
increased activity in the space.


Web Site: http://www.portwaycapital.com

Contact Details: Michael Brown
news@pr-newsnow.info