Cotton futures ended up over 2 percent on Thursday, extending a bounce from Tuesday's 11-month low below 69 cents a lb on options-related buying and outside market strength. Cotton for December delivery settled up 1.82 cents, or 2.6 percent, at 71.38 cents per lb. The session range spanned from 69.56 to 71.43 cents.
"After consolidating with some modest gains, the market slowly began a methodical climb with option-related buying continuing to support the move," said a broker. On Tuesday, the benchmark December contract slipped to its lowest price point since September 7 at 68.20. Volume traded in the December contract reached 9,803 lots by 2:56 pm EDT (1856 GMT).
"Technically, a close above 70.78 (cents) will be considered bottoming action, negating the current downside objectives of 67." - Mike Stevens of Swiss Financial Services in Mandeville, Louisiana. Cotton underpinned by stronger tones in corn and soybeans - broker. "From a new crop fundamental perspective, I think we are undervalued ... even here at 71 cents. We may still be a year away from a big move, but I certainly think it has value here. It's just a matter of demand picking up." - broker.
USDA said 2008/09 net US cotton sales slowed to 10,900 running bales (RBs, 500-lbs each). A total of 1,980,300 RBs in sales were carried over from the 2007/08 marketing year, which ended July 31. USDA said US cotton export shipments hit 353,200 RBs, from 258,600 RBs in last week's data.
I've heard we did a lot of business this week, so I think we'll see better numbers next week," the broker said. The market's attention will be on next Tuesday's US Department of Agriculture's monthly supply/demand report, which will give dealers a first detailed look at the crop in the 2008/09 marketing year (August/July).
Brokers Flanagan Trading Corp see resistance in the December contract at 70.85 and 71.65 cents, with support at 69.30 and 68.50 cents. Volume traded on Wednesday hit 10,108 lots, exchange data showed. Open interest in the cotton market grew by 197 lots to 218,009 contracts open as of August 6, exchange data showed.