Palladium rises sharply after 4 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.

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