Fashion
ICE cotton rises on export gains and weaker US dollar support
The more active March 2026 cotton contract settled at 64.23 cents per pound, up 0.23 cent. It touched an intraday high of 64.67 cents, the strongest level since November 19. All contracts closed higher for the first time since last Tuesday. The March contract has risen 49 points over the past three sessions. The expiring December 2025 contract gained 99 points, while other contracts posted gains ranging from 4 to 20 points.
ICE cotton futures extended gains for 3rd straight session, driven by stronger USDA export sales for the week ending October 9 and support from a weaker US dollar.
March 2026 cotton settled at 64.23 cents per pound after hitting the highest level since November 19.
USDA data showed US cotton harvest progress at 79 per cent.
StoneX lowered Brazil’s 2025–26 cotton crop estimate to 3.695 million tons.
Trading volume totalled 35,393 contracts, compared with 33,815 contracts recorded the previous day. Certified stocks were unchanged at 20,344 bales, with no bales pending review.
On the third notice day, 28 December notices were issued and are believed to be retendered, with no new notices expected tomorrow. December open interest began the day at 53 contracts before notices were issued, and 23 December contracts traded during the session.
USDA export sales for the week ending October 9 showed net sales of 160,600 bales, comprising 157,600 bales of Upland cotton and 3,000 bales of Pima cotton. Market analysts noted that the delayed USDA export data came in slightly higher than expected, while the weaker dollar provided additional support.
USDA’s crop progress report showed that the cotton harvest was 79 per cent complete as of November 23, compared with 71 per cent the previous week, 83 per cent at the same time last year, and the five-year average of 80 per cent.
StoneX revised its estimate for Brazil’s 2025–26 cotton crop to 3.695 million tons, down from 3.734 million tons in the previous month’s projection.
March cotton futures are expected to move toward the 66 to 69 cents per pound range by the start of the New Year.
This morning (Indian Standard Time), ICE March 2026 cotton was trading at 64.32 cents per pound (up 0.09 cent), cash cotton at 62.23 cents (up 0.23 cent), December 2025 at 62.43 cents (up 0.99 cent), May 2026 at 65.52 cents (up 0.09 cent), July 2026 at 66.54 cents (up 0.03 cent), and October 2026 at 67.41 cents (up 0.17 cent). A few contracts remained at their previous closing levels, with no trading recorded so far today.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)