Monday, August 28, 2017

Monday Midday Livestock Market Summary - Cattle Futures Surge Higher Monday

GENERAL COMMENTS:

Strong triple-digit gains have quickly moved back into cattle futures with live cattle futures moving $2 per cwt higher while feeder cattle futures holding support over $3 per cwt during Monday morning activity. This support is helping to bring about increased buyer interest across the market with traders looking for additional follow-through activity later in the week. Hog futures remain weak with triple-digit losses still concerned about fundamental and technical pressure developing. Corn prices are lower in light trade. September corn futures are 2 cents lower. Stock markets are mixed in light trade. The Dow Jones is 21 points lower while Nasdaq is up 10 points.

LIVE CATTLE:
Nearby futures have moved as much as $2 per cwt higher during morning trade with the support from strong feeder cattle trade leading the surge higher and drawing aggressive commercial support back into the market. Although volume remains relatively sluggish at this point, there is still some uncertainty as to just how much upward momentum will be able to develop in nearby contracts. October futures are testing price levels at $109 per cwt, while December contracts have moved above $110 per cwt easily through morning trade. If follow-through buying can redevelop through the week and live cattle markets can string together a two-to-three-consecutive-day trend, this will go a long way in helping to establish buyer support through early September. Cash cattle markets remain quiet Monday morning and limited to inventory taking and show list distribution. Bids and asking prices are still unavailable at this time, and will likely remain that way until near midweek. Beef cut-outs at midday are higher, $0.53 higher (select) and up $0.19 per cwt (choice) with light movement of 65 total loads reported (34 loads of choice cuts, 13 loads of select cuts, 10 loads of trimmings, 9 loads of ground beef).

FEEDER CATTLE:
Aggressive triple-digit gains have quickly moved back into all cattle markets. The feeder cattle trade is leading the move higher with gains of $2 to $3 per cwt seen in nearby futures. As September through November futures now trading above $146 per cwt and showing the ability to gain additional underlying support with commercial and investment support willing to move back to the table through the end of the month, this could help to instill longer-term stability through the entire complex.

LEAN HOGS:
Strong pressure continues to be seen in lean hog futures trade despite support seen midmorning in pork values and cash prices in the Midwest. But the overall underlying pressure in technical and concerns that overall fundamental softness will continue to be seen through the end of the month is weighing on nearby and futures traders. This is pushing all nearby contracts with losses holding losses near $1 per cwt across most contracts. Cash prices are higher on the Iowa/Minnesota Direct morning cash hog report. The weighted average price gained $0.21 at $67.26 per cwt with the range from $63.00 to $67.75 on 945 head reported sold. The National Pork Plant Report reported 113 loads selling with prices gaining $0.42 per cwt. Lean hog index for 8/24 is at $78.23 down $1.17 with a projected two-day index of $76.76, down $1.47.

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