Cotton Markets Show Mixed Movements Before Weekend Trading
Cotton prices declined 104 to 141 points on Friday morning. Futures demonstrated resilience across most months on Thursday, with contracts rising 10 to 74 points, whereas October contracts slipped 3 points. Crude oil prices surged by $5.88 per barrel, and the US dollar index increased 0.311.
Export sales data indicated 51,287 RB of cotton sold for the 2025/26 marketing year during the week of July 16, marking a rebound from the prior year’s low. China emerged as the leading buyer, purchasing 15,500 RB, followed by Vietnam with 12,300 RB. New crop business totaled 16,146 RB, with Vietnam acquiring 7,100 RB. Shipped volumes reached 276,313 RB, reaching a four-week high, with Vietnam as the dominant destination at 96,300 RB and Pakistan receiving 42,700 RB.
The 7-day precipitation outlook from NOAA reveals minimal rainfall across much of Texas and the southeastern US for the coming week.
The Cotlook A Index rose 160 points on Wednesday, settling at 89.60 cents. ICE-certified cotton stocks remained unchanged on July 22, totaling 94,235 bales. The adjusted world price dropped 155 points on Thursday to 63.82 cents per pound.
October 2026 cotton closed at 79.84, down 3 points, and is currently down 135 points.
December 2026 cotton closed at 81.21, up 10 points, but is now down 144 points.
March 2027 cotton closed at 82.83, rising 38 points, yet is now 130 points lower.
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