U.S. soybean futures hit a 4-1/2-month high last week as China bought U.S. soybeans for the first time since U.S. President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping met in early December, Reuters reported.

Chinese companies last week bought at least 1.43 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans, according to media reports. China purchased 1.13 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans on Dec.13, according to official USDA reports. It...