Fashion
ICE cotton falls ahead of delayed US weekly export sales data
ICE March 2026 cotton futures settled at 63.78 cents per pound, down 0.61 cent or 0.95 per cent. The contract marked its first close below 64 cents and set a new contract-low settlement. The December 2025 contract settled at 62.30 cents, down 27 points, raising concerns among bulls that December weakness could drag the March contract lower. March and July 2026 contracts also closed lower. For the week so far, cotton futures have posted net losses of 3–28 points across active months.
ICE cotton futures declined as traders await the USDA’s weekly export sales report, delayed for over a month due to the US shutdown.
March 2026 cotton hit a new contract low below 64 cents, while weak crude oil prices increased pressure by making polyester fibre cheaper.
Trading volume fell to a three-week low, with sentiment cautious despite expectations that export data may show stronger demand.
NYMEX crude oil futures declined due to reports of renewed diplomatic efforts to resolve the Russia–Ukraine conflict, which could ease supply risks. Losses in crude were partially limited by a larger-than-expected drop in US crude oil inventories, offering some support to energy markets. Lower crude prices make polyester fibre cheaper, adding pressure on US cotton.
Trading activity remained subdued, with 49,131 contracts traded, the lowest volume in three weeks, compared with 67,329 contracts cleared in the previous session. Intraday trade experienced mild consolidation and a brief upward pull, but the market failed to sustain momentum into the close.
ICE data showed deliverable No. 2 cotton inventories unchanged at 20,344 bales as of November 18, the same as the previous day.
Analysts said the market “was drawn slightly higher but failed to hold that momentum”. USDA’s weekly export sales report for the period ending October 2 will be released on Thursday. During the recent 43-day US government shutdown, the USDA suspended weekly export sales data and daily bulk-sale announcements, limiting demand visibility.
The upcoming USDA export sales report could be stronger than market expectations, but traders prefer to wait for confirmation.
In other markets, CBOT soybean futures closed lower as traders assessed demand prospects amid global uncertainty.
This morning (Indian Standard Time), ICE cotton for December 2025 was traded at 62.59 cents per pound (up 0.29 cent), cash cotton at 61.78 cents (down 0.61 cent), the March 2026 contract at 64.13 cents (up 0.21 cent), the May 2026 contract at 65.35 cents (up 0.32 cent), the July 2026 contract at 66.45 cents (up 0.33 cent), and the October 2026 contract at 67.11 cents (down 0.37 cent). A few contracts remained at their previous closing levels, with no trading recorded so far today.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)
The growth rate was 1.1 per cent points higher than that recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025, indicating improved momentum in industrial activity. On a month-on-month (MoM) basis, industrial output increased by 0.28 per cent in March.
China’s industrial output grew 6.1 per cent year on year (YoY) in Q1 2026, accelerating from the previous quarter.
Growth was driven by manufacturing and mining, while utilities posted moderate gains.
On a monthly basis, output rose 0.28 per cent in March, signalling stable industrial momentum.
The data reflects resilience in large-scale enterprises, supported by improving demand conditions.
Industrial output, a key economic indicator, measures the activity of large enterprises with an annual main business turnover of at least ¥20 million (~$2.91 million).
Sector-wise, the mining industry’s value-added output increased by 6 per cent year on year (YoY) during the quarter, while the manufacturing sector registered a stronger growth of 6.4 per cent. Meanwhile, the production and supply of electricity, heat, gas, and water rose by 4.3 per cent, said Chinese media reports.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (JP)
Italy’s apparel exports declined **.** per cent year on year to $*,***.** million in January ****, down from $*,***.** million in January ****. Imports also fell **.** per cent to $***.** million, compared to $*,***.** million a year earlier, indicating a broad-based slowdown in trade flows at the start of the year, according to *fashion.com/market-intelligence/texpro-textile-and-apparel/” target=”_blank”>sourcing intelligence tool TexPro.
The January contraction comes amid a broader environment of cautious retail demand and tighter inventory management across Europe. Nevertheless, the strong full-year **** figures indicate that Italy’s apparel sector continues to maintain stable trade fundamentals, supported by diversified export markets and a balanced sourcing network.
“We are thrilled to welcome Erinn Murphy to Kontoor Brands,” said executive vice president, chief financial officer & global head of operations, Joe Alkire. “Having led investor relations and corporate strategy from within a high-growth consumer brand and nearly twenty years of experience covering global lifestyle brands as a respected senior equity analyst, she understands what drives long-term value creation from every angle. Her perspective will expand the operational and strategic depth of the Helly Hansen leadership team as we focus on accelerating growth and expanding the brand’s global reach, while also strengthening how Kontoor engages with the investment community.”
Kontoor Brands has named Erinn Murphy VP, global head of finance & operations for Helly Hansen and Corporate Investor Relations, starting May in Oslo.
She joins from Crocs, Inc., bringing nearly two decades of experience across investor relations, strategy and equity research.
Michael Karapetian will expand his role and return in Q3 2026 to support transition and investor engagement.
Murphy joins Kontoor from Crocs, Inc., a global leader in innovative casual footwear, where she served as Senior Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Strategy. Prior to that, she served as Managing Director of Consumer Equity Capital Markets for leading investment bank, Piper Sandler. She was recently appointed as a member of the board of directors for Revolve Group, Inc. (NYSE: RVLV).
Murphy’s appointment coincides with an expanded role for Michael Karapetian, who will serve as Vice President, Global Brand & Operations Finance and Corporate Investor Relations, with responsibility for all aspects of global brand and supply chain finance and corporate investor relations. Karapetian will return from his international assignment at Helly Hansen in the third quarter of 2026 to allow for a transition period.
Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RM)
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