# Cotton Futures Trade Mixed as Higher US Crop Estimates Offset Energy Gains

- URL: https://stocks.freetheai.org/news/cotton-futures-trade-mixed-as-higher-us-crop-estimates-offset-energy-gains-25ed24
- Published: 2026-10-12T17:13:18Z
- Category: commodities; sentiment: mixed; impact: low
- Symbols: [ICEUS:CT1!](https://stocks.freetheai.org/symbols/ICEUS-CT1!)
- Written by our AI from expert market sources across the web for FreeTheAI Stocks, built by Vibhek Soni
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Cotton futures traded in a narrow, mixed range at midday on Monday, with contract prices hovering between a 7-point drop and an 8-point gain. Dec 26 cotton slipped 7 points to 80.47 cents per pound, while Mar 27 cotton gained 8 points to reach 83.67 cents per pound. Meanwhile, Cotton No. 2 Futures (ICEUS:CT1!) traded virtually flat, up 0.07% to 80.6 cents per pound.

The muted price action follows recent government crop data that expanded domestic supply projections. Estimated yields were raised by 14 pounds per acre to 790 pounds per acre, pushing expected total US production up by 240,000 bales to 13.44 million bales. Domestic ending stocks were also revised higher by 200,000 bales to 3.8 million bales. At the same time, institutional money managers trimmed their net long positions by 10,756 contracts in the week ending October 6, leaving their net long standing at 63,837 contracts.

Traders are weighing these expanding supply figures against outside financial pressures, including a $2.09 per barrel jump in crude oil and a $0.353 rise in the US dollar index. Moving forward, market participants will monitor spot sales activity, certified stock levels, and broader market conditions to see if prices can absorb the expanded harvest projections.

## Key points

- Cotton futures traded mixed at midday, ranging from 7 points lower on Dec 26 contracts to 8 points higher on Mar 27 contracts.
- US crop production estimates rose by 14 pounds per acre to 790 pounds, lifting projected total output to 13.44 million bales.
- Domestic ending stocks were adjusted upward by 200,000 bales to reach 3.8 million bales.
- Managed money trimmed net long positions by 10,756 contracts to 63,837 contracts for the week ending October 6.
- Outside markets presented mixed signals, as crude oil advanced $2.09 per barrel while the US dollar index gained $0.353.

## Questions and answers

### What drove the recent increase in US cotton production forecasts?

Production estimates rose by 240,000 bales to 13.44 million bales after projected yields were raised by 14 pounds per acre to 790 pounds per acre.

### How are managed money investors currently positioned in cotton futures?

Managed money reduced net long positions by 10,756 contracts in the week ending October 6, leaving total net long positioning at 63,837 contracts.

### Where are individual cotton futures contract prices trading?

Dec 26 cotton fell 7 points to 80.47 cents per pound, Mar 27 cotton rose 8 points to 83.67 cents per pound, and May 27 cotton gained 4 points to 85.34 cents per pound.