SYDNEY, Nov 24 (Reuters) - U.S. soybean futures fell for the first time in eight sessions on Tuesday as traders booked profits after prices hit a more than four-year high, although concerns about global production provided a floor to losses.
FUNDAMENTALS
* The most active soybean futures on the Chicago Board Of Trade were down 0.5% to $11.86 a bushel by 0138 GMT, having firmed 0.9% on Monday - when prices hit a June 2016 high of $12.00 a bushel.
* The most active corn futures were down 0.4% to $4.31-3/4 a bushel, having gained 1.2% in the previous session - when prices hit a July 2019 high of $4.36 a bushel.
* The most active wheat futures were little changed at $6.04-1/2 a bushel, having closed up 0.8% on Monday.
* Soybeans were supported by dry weather across Brazil, the world's largest oilseed producer.
* The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed private sales of 334,000 tonnes of U.S. corn to unknown destinations, the latest in a series of daily corn sales announcements.
* The USDA's weekly crop progress report showed that U.S. winter wheat ratings declined in the latest week. The USDA rated 43% of the crop in good to excellent condition, down from 46% a week earlier, bucking analyst expectations for a one-point improvement.
MARKET NEWS
* The yen was on the back foot while riskier currencies were supported on Tuesday on rising optimism following news U.S. President-elect Joe Biden is expected to tap former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen as U.S. Treasury Secretary.
* Oil prices held gains as news of a third promising vaccine candidate spurred hopes of a quick recovery in oil demand, while U.S. President-elect Joe Biden received the go-ahead to begin his presidential transition.
* Asian stocks opened higher as COVID-19 vaccine progress shored up global sentiment and U.S. President-elect Joe Biden was given the go-ahead to begin his White House transition. (Reporting by Colin Packham; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu)
