Cotton futures posted modest gains on Friday, with contracts rising between 10 and 21 points. The gains came amid a broader market context where crude oil climbed $2.69 per barrel, while the US dollar index dipped $0.090.
The USDA’s Export Sales report revealed that cotton sales for the week ending October 8 totaled 146,892 running bales (RB), marking an 11.12% decline from the previous week. Sales for the 2027/28 season amounted to 7,182 RB. Shipments were recorded at 140,561 RB, down 13.11% from the prior week but showing a slight 0.94% increase compared to the same week last year.
Other key metrics included The Seam reporting 404 bales sold on October 15 at an average price of 73.56 cents per pound. The Cotlook A index rose by 20 points on Thursday to 91.45. Additionally, ICE certified cotton stocks decreased by 2,627 bales on October 15, bringing the total to 15,129 bales. The Adjusted World Price also saw an increase of 80 points on Thursday, reaching 64.61 cents per pound.
Looking at specific cotton futures, December 2026 cotton was priced at 80.27, up 21 points, while March 2027 and May 2027 contracts were at 83.53 and 85.22, respectively, each showing gains of 11 and 10 points.