Cotton Market Wednesday Morning Quotes: Tracking the Week's Rally

Cotton prices demonstrated early-week strength on Wednesday morning, posting gains of 8 to 12 points as markets recovered from Tuesday’s pullback. The shift marks a notable reversal from the previous trading session, when contracts tumbled 22 to 32 points. This Wednesday morning movement reflects broader commodity market dynamics, with multiple factors contributing to cotton’s recent price behavior.

Energy Markets and Dollar Weakness Drive Wednesday Morning Recovery

The recovery in cotton prices on Wednesday morning cannot be separated from performance in related commodity markets. Crude oil futures climbed $1.09 per barrel, settling at $60.53, while the US dollar index fell by $0.836 to $98.365. This combination—rising energy costs and a weaker dollar—typically provides tailwinds for cotton and other commodities priced in dollars. The Wednesday morning quotes suggest traders are responding to these supportive market conditions.

Mid-January Reference Data Provides Market Context

When evaluating Wednesday morning cotton quotes, traders often reference recent benchmark data to assess fair value. The Seam’s online auction from mid-January showed sales at 60.43 cents per pound across 1,971 bales, while the Cotlook A Index held steady at 74.80 cents. More recently, the Adjusted World Price was updated to 51.17 cents per pound—marking a 20-point increase from the previous week. These reference points help frame the Wednesday morning market session within the broader pricing environment.

ICE Inventory Levels Remain Stable Amid Market Activity

Certified cotton stocks on the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) maintained steady levels at 11,029 bales, unchanged from recent measurements. This stable inventory backdrop provides important context for Wednesday morning’s price action, as supply constraints continue to influence market sentiment. When stocks remain relatively tight, even modest demand shifts can generate outsized price movements like the Wednesday morning rally.

Quarterly Cotton Futures Show Divergent Wednesday Morning Performance

The Wednesday morning cotton quotes were reflected across the futures curve, though with diminishing magnitude on longer-dated contracts. March 2026 cotton closed at 64.34 on Tuesday, down 32 points, but showed an 11-point gain by Wednesday morning. May 2026 contracts finished the previous session at 65.96 (down 27 points) and climbed 10 points during Wednesday’s early trading. July 2026 futures settled at 67.43 on Tuesday (down 22 points), with an 8-point advance recorded in the Wednesday morning quotes. This pattern—with near-term contracts showing stronger percentage gains—reflects typical behavior when markets bounce from oversold conditions.

The convergence of supportive factors, including energy price strength and currency weakness, helped drive Wednesday morning cotton quotes higher across all quarterly delivery months. Market participants monitoring these Wednesday morning movements should track whether the recovery can be sustained or whether the recent volatility will continue defining the price landscape.