Palladium Rises Sharply After Four Days Of Losses

Commodities futures are ending mostly mixed with the exception of palladium, which surged 3 percent, breaking a four-day slump. The March contract for palladium, a metal which has industrial uses including making catalytic converters for automobiles, jumped $20.35 to settle at $688.20 per ounce Wednesday.

Most other metals fell. Gold, silver and high-grade copper were down. Platinum rose. Agricultural contracts ended mixed. Wheat and soybeans fell while corn futures rose. Energy prices were also a mixed bag. Crude oil edged lower, giving up 5 cents to settle at $93.10 a barrel. Wholesale gasoline and natural gas futures fell and heating oil rose.