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)
Fashion
Switzerland’s Rieter orders steady at $907 mn amid cautious market
The components division generated CHF 193.5 million (~$249.6 million) in orders amid cautious investment in new machinery, while the After Sales division posted a 6 per cent increase to CHF 163.6 million, supported by expanded service networks and stronger activity in Central Asia and China.
Rieter has reported stable 2025 order intake of CHF 703.4 million (~$907.4 million) despite market uncertainty, while sales fell 20 per cent to CHF 685.1 million (~$883.8 million).
Cost controls delivered positive operating EBIT, but Barmag-related charges led to a net loss.
The Barmag acquisition expands fibre capabilities.
For 2026, Rieter projects CHF 1.3-1.5 billion ($1.68-1.94 billion) sales.
Group sales declined 20 per cent YoY to CHF 685.1 million (~$883.8 million) from CHF 859.1 million, reflecting subdued market demand. Sales in Machines and Systems dropped 23 per cent to CHF 329.1 million, Components fell 19 per cent to CHF 200.8 million, and After Sales decreased 17 per cent to CHF 155.2 million. Order backlog stood at around CHF 510 million at the end of 2025, Rieter said in a press release.
Despite weaker sales, Rieter achieved a positive operating EBIT of CHF 2.5 million through cost control measures. However, restructuring expenses and transaction costs related to the Barmag acquisition, totalling CHF 54.2 million, resulted in a net loss of CHF 63.4 million for the year compared with a net profit of CHF 10.4 million in 2024. Free cash flow turned negative at CHF 40.6 million, although net liquidity improved to CHF 184.3 million following a capital increase completed in October 2025.
Given the negative earnings, the board has proposed no dividend distribution while reaffirming its long-term policy of paying at least 40 per cent of net profit. The equity ratio strengthened to 53.3 per cent at the end of 2025, reflecting the capital raise linked to the acquisition.
Rieter completed the acquisition of Barmag on February 2, 2026, integrating the business as its new Man-Made Fiber Division. The move expands the company’s capabilities beyond short-staple fibre machinery, positioning it as a system supplier across natural and man-made fibre processing and strengthening technological capabilities in automation and digitisation.
The company expects at least CHF 20 million in synergies from the acquisition and has outlined new medium-term scenarios. Depending on market conditions, annual sales could range from CHF 1.4 billion with 2-5 per cent operating margins in a subdued environment to CHF 2.2 billion with margins of 8-11 per cent under strong demand.
For 2026, which Rieter described as a transition year, the group forecasts sales between CHF 1.3 billion and CHF 1.5 billion ($1.68-1.94 billion) and a positive operating EBIT margin of 0-3 per cent as integration and restructuring initiatives progress. Financing for the combined entity’s development is fully secured.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
Fashion
China’s sock exports at $6.7 bn, volume rises amid price sensitivity
According to *fashion.com/market-intelligence/texpro-textile-and-apparel/” target=”_blank”>sourcing intelligence tool TexPro, export volumes reached **.*** billion pairs in ****, up from **.*** billion pairs in **** and **.*** billion pairs in ****. This steady rise in shipments highlights China’s scale advantage and strong manufacturing ecosystem, enabling suppliers to push higher volumes into international markets even amid softer demand conditions and heightened price sensitivity among buyers.
Average export prices continued their downward trajectory, declining to $*.** per pair in **** from $*.** in ****, $*.** in **** and $*.** in ****. The sustained erosion in unit values suggests a combination of factors, including aggressive pricing competition, a shift towards lower-priced product mixes, and buyer efforts to optimise sourcing costs in an uncertain global consumption environment.
Fashion
Texwin Spinning showcasing premium cotton yarn range at VIATT 2026
At the exhibition, Texwin Spinning is showcasing its comprehensive range of cotton yarns, including combed compact yarn (Ne 16’s to 40’s) for weaving and knitting applications, carded compact yarn (Ne 16’s to 40’s), and high-performance components such as comber, flat and lickerin. The company manufactures its products using high-grade raw cotton in a fully automated facility, ensuring superior quality, strength, uniformity and consistency across textile processes.
“VIATT provides an excellent platform to connect with international buyers and industry stakeholders. We look forward to presenting our premium cotton yarn portfolio and strengthening our presence in the ASEAN and global markets,” Bhagya Chikani of Texwin Spinning told Fibre2Fashion.
Texwin Spinning Pvt Ltd is exhibiting at the Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles and Textile Technologies (VIATT) 2026 which is being held in Ho Chi Minh City from February 26-28.
The company is showcasing its premium combed and carded compact cotton yarns (Ne 16’s-40’s) along with textile components, aiming to expand its footprint across ASEAN and global markets.
Positioned as ASEAN’s most comprehensive textile trade platform, VIATT covers the entire textile value chain, bringing together global stakeholders from apparel fabrics and fashion to home textiles, technical textiles and advanced manufacturing technologies. With a strong emphasis on innovation, digitalisation and sustainability through initiatives such as ‘Econogy’, the fair serves as a strategic business hub for the region’s textile and garment industry.
Established in 2021, Texwin Spinning Pvt Ltd is a Gujarat-based manufacturer of premium-quality cotton yarn. Headquartered in Rajkot, the company serves both domestic and export markets and is guided by “Quality Is Our Motto.” Through a strong commitment to quality standards, customer satisfaction and continuous growth, Texwin Spinning continues to strengthen its brand presence in the competitive textile industry.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (CG)
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