DTN Morning Cotton Commentary          04/15 07:37

   Cotton Resumes Run Higher

   After taking a brief retreat Tuesday, the cotton market is right back trying 
to move higher. 

Keith Brown
DTN Contributing Cotton Analyst

   After taking a brief retreat Tuesday, the cotton market is right back trying 
to move higher. Most technical indicators have turned "friendly", causing the 
once heavily bearish speculative funds to cover their negative positions. In 
fact, Friday's CFTC data will show a new insight as to their stance. 

   Thursday at 8:30 a.m. EDT, traders will see a new round of export sales from 
USDA. Last week's data showed net weekly sales were 319,000 bales, down 14%, 
while shipments were 342,000 bales, off 4%.

   First notice day for the May contract is April 24. Its delivery period runs 
through May 6.

   Also on Thursday and this Friday, traders will see fresh retail sales data 
and updated housing starts numbers. Both of those reports reflect a large 
portion of domestic demand for the cotton industry.

   On Friday, the CFTC will update its weekly Commitments of Traders 
information. Last week, the managed-money funds were pegged net-short by a 
proverbial hair, a mere 2,020 contracts. The update will be released at 3:30 
p.m. EDT.

   The American Farm Bureau has released a survey indicating some 70% of U.S. 
growers do not have the funds to cover their general fertilizer needs. The 
disposition is different from section to section of the country, but for the 
Southeast only 19% of producers report they have pre-booked their nutrient 
needs for 2026. In addition, farm diesel prices have increased some 45% since 
the end of February, thus raising the costs of fieldwork, irrigation, and other 
farm transportation needs.

   Chart support for July cotton stands at 75.90 cents and 75.10 cents, with 
resistance around 77.25 cents and 78.00 cents. Wednesday morning's estimated 
volume is 26,715 contracts.

   Keith Brown can be reached at commodityconsults@gmail.com or by calling 
(229) 890-7780.




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