DTN Closing Cotton            06/26 13:34

   Cotton Market Traded Mixed Ahead of Key Data, Holiday Week

   The cotton market traded both sides of Thursday's close as traders prepared 
for next week's events, which include second quarter's end, planted acres data 
and Fourth of July closure.

Keith Brown
DTN Contributing Cotton Analyst

   The cotton market traded both sides of Thursday's close as traders prepared 
for next week's events, which include second quarter's end, planted acres data 
and Fourth of July closure. Volume was fairly muted.

   This afternoon, at 3:30 p.m. EDT, the CFTC will update its Commitment of 
Traders data. Last Monday's delayed report showed that the managed-money funds 
sold some 7,000 contracts, reducing their net-long carry to 35,136 positions.

   On June 30, USDA will issue its Planted Acres report. Some analysts are 
expecting greater 2026 acres due to the spring rally to 88.00 cents. It is 
worth noting that the March Intentions were higher than expected. With that, 
the industry estimates peg the U.S. 2026 acreage at 9.63 million acres.

   On Monday, USDA will issue its latest Crop Progress report. Last week saw 
the 2026 crop at 92% planted, with an overall rating of 54% good to excellent. 
That data will be out at 4 p.m. EDT.

   The 6- to 10-day weather forecast (July 1-5) shows above-normal to 
much-above-normal temperatures for much of the country. Rainwise, Texas and the 
Southern Delta now look to have slightly better rainfall chances, while the 
Southeast should see normal opportunities. The U.S. Drought Monitor currently 
shows that 58% of the U.S. Cotton Belt remains in drought, down from its 
highest peak reading of 98% drought.

   For Friday, July closed at 71.66 cents, off 174 points; December closed at 
76.38 cents, minus 59 points; and March 2027 finished at 77.74 cents, down 55 
points. Friday's estimated volume was 42,074 contracts.

   Keith Brown can be reached at [email protected]




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