ICE’s most active December 2025 contract settled at 68.56 cents per pound (0.453 kg), down 0.03 cent. The contract had reached 69 cents on Tuesday, the highest level since June 30. The October contract dropped by 26 points, while other cotton contracts closed between 4 points lower and 3 points higher.
Trading volume today stood at 23,505 contracts—the second-lowest recorded in 2025. The lowest volume, 22,110 contracts, was seen last Thursday. In contrast, yesterday’s cleared volume was 39,587 contracts. The low volume today contradicts the bullish sentiment observed in the previous session.
There was resistance near the 69-cent level. Technical indicators, including the 20-day and 50-day moving averages, alongside weaker crude oil prices, are limiting further upside.
Falling oil prices added pressure to cotton, as cheaper crude makes polyester—a cotton substitute—more competitive.
The market is now awaiting the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) weekly export sales report, due Thursday. Expectations are for a reasonably strong report, with more focus on actual shipments than new sales.
According to market analysts, resistance remains above 69 cents. Cheaper crude is seen as a negative factor. While export figures may be decent, the overall sentiment remains cautious.
In external grain markets, Chicago corn rose for a third consecutive session amid already-priced-in crop conditions. Soybeans edged up from a three-month low, and wheat posted slight gains but continued to hover near a two-week low.
As of the latest trade, ICE cotton for December 2025 was at 68.61 cents per pound (up 0.05 cent), cash cotton stood at 65.70 cents (down 0.26 cent), the October 2025 contract was at 66.95 cents (down 0.26 cent), the March 2026 contract at 69.86 cents (up 0.03 cent), the May 2026 contract at 70.86 cents (up 0.02 cent), and the July 2026 contract at 71.64 cents (up 0.06 cent). Some contracts remained at their previous closing levels, with no trading recorded today.
ALCHEMPro News Desk (KUL)
Receive daily prices and market insights straight to your inbox. Subscribe to AlchemPro Weekly!
marketing@alchempro.com
