26 Apr '25
(Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL): ICE cotton futures paused their upward trend and eased on Friday, weighed down by a stronger US dollar and favourable weather conditions in US cotton-growing regions. Texas has received rain, thus improving crop prospects. Cotton futures retreated from a four-month high in the final trading session of the week.
Insights
ICE cotton futures eased on Friday after hitting a four-month high, pressured by a stronger US dollar and improved crop prospects due to rainfall in Texas.
The July 2025 contract settled at 68.80 cents per pound, down 0.37 cent, though it posted a weekly gain of 167 points.
Overall, major active contracts ended the week higher, despite Friday's weaker close and subdued global demand.
The ICE cotton July 2025 contract settled at 68.80 cents per pound (0.453 kg), down 0.37 cent from the previous day. The contract had touched an intraday high of 69.75 cents, the highest level since December 2024. Despite the decline, the July contract posted a weekly gain of 167 points.
The December contract settled at 69.97 cents, down 0.40 cent on the day, but recorded a weekly gain of 153 points. Other contracts ranged from a decline of 45 points to a gain of 8 points. On a weekly basis, these contracts posted between a 152-point gain and a 5-point loss. The recent rise in the US dollar has made cotton purchases more expensive for overseas buyers, dampening demand for US cotton on Friday.
Friday’s trading volume stood at 35,260 contracts, compared to 47,440 contracts on Thursday. The average daily volume for the week was 47,080 contracts. ICE data as of 24 April showed deliverable No. 2 cotton futures inventory unchanged at 14,478 bales.
The recent rainfall in Texas further pressured cotton prices by improving crop outlook.
Market analysts noted that although cotton is not part of any major trade deal, it remains influenced by global market trends. Overall, the cotton market closed the day on a weaker note but ended the week with gains in major active contracts.
ICE cotton for July 2025 settled at 68.80 cents per pound (down 0.37 cent), cash cotton at 66.05 cents (down 0.37 cent), the May 2025 contract at 66.85 cents (down 0.45 cent).
The October 2025 contract at 70.32 cents (down 0.39 cent), the December 2025 contract at 69.97 ents (down 0.40 cent), and the March 2026 contract at 71.02 cents per pound (down 0.40 cent).
(Source: Fibre2Fashion.com)