CHINA-SOYBEANS: The price of soybeans rose as China's voracious appetite for the beans showed no sign of slowing. China has bought U.S. beans because global supplies are critically low.

ISAAC'S APPROACH: Oil rose as Hurricane Isaac moved into the heart of the Gulf of Mexico's oil and refinery operations. Traders waited to see whether the storm will cause significant supply disruptions.

WAITING ON BERNANKE: Gold fell ahead of Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's speech Friday to the Fed's annual conference. Traders are looking for clues about whether the central bank will take more action to aid economic growth.