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, May 26 Cotton at 65.65 cents (up 20 points), and July 26 Cotton advancing to 67.3 cents (up 29 points). This progression across the curve demonstrates investor confidence and suggests expectations of sustained demand. The recent online auction conducted by The Seam revealed 10,023 bales trading at 56.06 cents per pound, providing real transaction data that underscores market participation levels.
Weekly Inventory and Price Index Dynamics
Data from early in the week presents a mixed picture for cotton price outlook. The Cotlook A Index declined 75 points to settle at 73.30 cents, reflecting international pricing pressure on the commodity. Meanwhile, ICE certified cotton stocks showed minimal movement, with inventory rising just 2 bales to 8,597 bales total. The Adjusted World Price received a downward revision to 50.99 cents per pound, marking an 18-point decrease from the previous week—a reminder that cotton price pressures persist in certain market segments despite the intraday futures strength.
Market Balance and Forward Expectations
The divergence between rising futures contracts and softer index pricing suggests traders are weighing near-term supply tightness against longer-term demand uncertainty. The cotton price resilience in March and May contracts indicates confidence in near-term fundamentals, while warehouse inventory levels remain relatively stable. As Q1 2026 progresses, market participants will continue monitoring both domestic auction activity and international price indicators to assess whether current cotton price momentum can be sustained.