Gains close higher in Chicago Monday

Grains closed higher on the Chicago Board of Trade Monday with trading light in anticipation of the Christmas holiday.

Corn was up 1 to up 1 3/4, soybeans were up 17 1/2 to up 18 1/4, wheat was up up 5 to up 5 3/4 and oats were unchanged.

Corn closed higher, prices helped by a weaker dollar, but pressured by lower crude oil prices. Wheat ended higher, although export inspections have been below expectations for three straight weeks. Soybeans rallied on reports China would continue purchases to increase their reserves.

The prices:

Corn: Mar 3.81 3/4, up 1; May 3.92, up 1; Jul 4.02 1/2, up 1 1/2; Sep 4.12 1/2 3/4, up 1 3/4.

Soybeans: Jan 8.86 1/2, up 18 1/4; Mar 8.90 1/2, up 18; May 9.01 1/2, up 17 3/4; Jul 9.12 1/2, up 17 1/2.

Wheat: Mar 5.69, up 5 3/4; May 5.81 1/2, up 5 1/2; Jul 5.93 1/2, up 5 3/4; Sep 6.13 3/4, up 5.

Oats: Mar 2.19, unchanged; May 2.28, unchanged; Jul 2.37 1/2, unchanged; Sep 2.47, unchanged.