"Prices were mixed and little changed while spreads weakened. Dec-26 fell to a fresh 4-month low before recovering.  Overall prices continue to consolidate around $4.50. Speculative traders were net buyers of 3k contracts yesterday, while open interest surged 29k contracts. Yesterday’s EIA data showed ethanol production rose to 329 mil. gallons last week, up from 322 mil. the previous week while up 2.5% YOY. Production was above the pace needed to reach the USDA corn usage forecast for the first time in 6 weeks. Production margins are strong as energy prices remain high while corn and natural gas prices have slid. Export sales at 51 mil. bu. were in line with expectations," noted Mark Soderberg with ADM Investor Services.