Cotton#2 Wraps Up the Week with Bullish Momentum

Cotton futures delivered solid gains as the trading week concluded, with December contracts surging 156 points across the five-day period. Friday’s session alone saw prices advance 14 to 17 points at the close, underscoring steady buying interest in the commodity.

The broader energy complex weighed on sentiment, as crude oil retreated 67 cents per barrel to settle at $58.40, while the US dollar index softened $0.092 to $99.430—factors that typically provide headwinds for dollar-priced commodities like cotton.

Export Activity Rebounds Sharply

USDA data revealed a significant rebound in cotton export momentum. The Export Sales report for the week ending 10/16 showed 175,678 RB of cotton contracts, up 11.45% from the previous week. More impressively, actual shipments hit 159,631 RB, marking the largest volume of the marketing year to date. This acceleration suggests renewed demand from international buyers.

Auction Results and Global Benchmarks

The Seam’s online auction on November 26 moved 3,553 bales at an average of 61.16 cents per pound, providing a fresh data point on cash market pricing. Meanwhile, the Cotlook A Index climbed 45 points on Thursday, reaching 74.95 cents, reflecting strength in global cotton assessments. The Adjusted World Price was marked down 3 points to 50.77 cents per pound for the week.

Inventory Conditions Remain Stable

ICE certified cotton stocks held steady as of November 26, maintaining a level of 20,344 bales. The stable inventory backdrop adds support to the ongoing price recovery.

Key Contract Closes

December 2025 cotton finished at 62.91 cents, up 14 points. March 2026 cotton ended at 64.71 cents, also up 14 points. May 2026 cotton closed strongest at 65.92 cents, up 17 points—reflecting a typical upward curve structure in the forward months.