Cattle spent the first two days of the week posting gains and looking like they were going to make a run to test the 67% retracement level, but those thoughts came into question when cattle slipped lower the last two days of the week ending Thursday. Strong cash, weather concerns, and tight supplies help give cattle support early while a sloppy stock market and position squaring ahead of the Dec COF report caused some selling pressure.
The week started with cattle opening the session higher in both contracts but then fading to trade mixed throughout most of the session. Early support came from the same trifecta of news, strong demand, higher cash, and tight supplies. Adverse weather conditions and the expectation that the wintery weather will disrupt cattle movement and performance added support. Gains were kept in check by a softer stock market, which faded earlier gains. A weaker corn market and strong cash index added support to feeder cattle.
Buying continued to support both cattle contracts Tuesday as cattle opened higher but switched to trade mixed for most of the session. The live cattle spent most of the session on the defense with pressure spilling over from the lower stock market (which did not like the comments from Hassett who said there is plenty of room for more interest rate cuts). Feeder cattle were supported by the lower grain complex.
Selling pressure emerged midweek in the cattle as live cattle opened the session steady to lower while feeder cattle started the session steady to higher. Live cattle were under pressure early from spill over pressure from Tuesday’s poor financial market performance. Feeder cattle were supported early by a weaker grains complex. But once the grains turned to trade steady to higher, selling pulled feeders lower. Live cattle were pressured by the lack of a cash trade. A light cash trade was reported at $229, $1 below last week.
Cattle started Thursday’s session mixed and appeared to be set on trading in a mixed fashion for the day, but heavy selling kicked into gear about halfway through the morning session. The lack of a cash trade continues to pressure cattle and the likelihood that cash will continue to trade sloppy over the holiday shortened two weeks. Beef exports for the week ending Nov 30 were estimated at 1,908 MT for 2025 while 2026’s pace was estimated at 12,087 MT. Position squaring ahead of Friday’s COF report was also evident.
The Dec COF report was bullish cattle as all numbers came in below expectations. The numbers from the report were: On Feed: 98% (04% below expectations), Placed: 89% (3.6% below expectations and the lowest placements for Nov since the series began), and Marketed: 88% (.2% below expectations and the second lowest marketings for Nov since the series began).
For the week, Dec live cattle closed at $230.40 up 60 cents. Jan feeder cattle closed at $345.60 up $6.50.
Cattle Weekly Comments December 19
Cattle Weekly Comments December 19
Cattle spent the first two days of the week posting gains and looking like they were going to make a run to test the 67% retracement level, but those thoughts came into question when cattle slipped lower the last two days of the week ending Thursday. Strong cash, weather concerns, and tight supplies help give cattle support early while a sloppy stock market and position squaring ahead of the Dec COF report caused some selling pressure.
The week started with cattle opening the session higher in both contracts but then fading to trade mixed throughout most of the session. Early support came from the same trifecta of news, strong demand, higher cash, and tight supplies. Adverse weather conditions and the expectation that the wintery weather will disrupt cattle movement and performance added support. Gains were kept in check by a softer stock market, which faded earlier gains. A weaker corn market and strong cash index added support to feeder cattle.
Buying continued to support both cattle contracts Tuesday as cattle opened higher but switched to trade mixed for most of the session. The live cattle spent most of the session on the defense with pressure spilling over from the lower stock market (which did not like the comments from Hassett who said there is plenty of room for more interest rate cuts). Feeder cattle were supported by the lower grain complex.
Selling pressure emerged midweek in the cattle as live cattle opened the session steady to lower while feeder cattle started the session steady to higher. Live cattle were under pressure early from spill over pressure from Tuesday’s poor financial market performance. Feeder cattle were supported early by a weaker grains complex. But once the grains turned to trade steady to higher, selling pulled feeders lower. Live cattle were pressured by the lack of a cash trade. A light cash trade was reported at $229, $1 below last week.
Cattle started Thursday’s session mixed and appeared to be set on trading in a mixed fashion for the day, but heavy selling kicked into gear about halfway through the morning session. The lack of a cash trade continues to pressure cattle and the likelihood that cash will continue to trade sloppy over the holiday shortened two weeks. Beef exports for the week ending Nov 30 were estimated at 1,908 MT for 2025 while 2026’s pace was estimated at 12,087 MT. Position squaring ahead of Friday’s COF report was also evident.
The Dec COF report was bullish cattle as all numbers came in below expectations. The numbers from the report were: On Feed: 98% (04% below expectations), Placed: 89% (3.6% below expectations and the lowest placements for Nov since the series began), and Marketed: 88% (.2% below expectations and the second lowest marketings for Nov since the series began).
For the week, Dec live cattle closed at $230.40 up 60 cents. Jan feeder cattle closed at $345.60 up $6.50.