Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures finished moderately higher on Wednesday as the steep climb in wholesale beef values fueled expectations for strong cash prices by Friday, traders said. Futures hit a 4-1/2-month peak but pared gains on profit-taking and positioning ahead of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s monthly Cattle on […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME live cattle end firm, but off recent peak
Australia, Indonesia renew push for trade deal
Sydney | Reuters — Australia and Indonesia on Wednesday said they would formally resume long-stalled negotiations aimed at sealing a bilateral trade agreement between the often uneasy neighbours within 18 months. Australian Trade Minister Steven Ciobo and Indonesian Trade Minister Thomas Trikasih Lembong said in a joint statement talks would resume in May after a […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Surging beef prices push CME live cattle higher
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle contracts closed higher on Tuesday, driven by a recent surge in wholesale beef prices that stirred optimism for cash prices later this week, traders said. April futures ended 1.425 cents/lb. higher at 140.725 (all figures US$). June closed up 1.5 cents/lb. at 130.325 after peaking at […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME live cattle close mostly firm
Chicago | Reuters –– Most Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle contracts gained modestly on Monday, after investors sold April and simultaneously bought deferred months in a strategy known as bear spreading, traders said. April ended 0.5 cents/lb. lower at 139.3. June closed up 0.275 cent/lb. to 128.825 and August finished 0.4 cent higher at 123.6 […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME live cattle spike on cash price hopes
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures peaked at a four-month high on Friday, fueled by short-covering in anticipation of strong market-ready, or cash, cattle prices later on Friday, traders said. April ended 1.5 cents/lb. higher at 139.8, and June closed up 0.925 cent/lb. to 128.55 (all figures US$). Cash cattle bids […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cash outlook drives CME live cattle higher
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures finished sharply higher on Thursday, driven by short-covering and recent run up in wholesale beef prices, traders said. April ended 1.525 cents/lb. higher at 138.3, and June closed up 1.325 cents/lb. to 127.625 (all figures US$). The morning’s wholesale choice beef price climbed $1.36/cwt from […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME lean hogs surge amid summer grilling questions
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hog futures for animals set to be delivered in July and August surged to all-new contract highs on Wednesday, as investors bet on tighter supplies being available for the summer grilling season. Demand from pork packers was a bit hit and miss, said one cash hog dealer […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Live cattle rise as traders exit nearby positions
Chicago | Reuters –– Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures closed higher on Tuesday, after traders exited nearby positions to avoid taking delivery and packers seemed to be bidding more aggressively than expected in the U.S. southern Plains. Traders said there was talk of Texas packers on Tuesday bidding in line with what they paid […] Read more
U.S. livestock: CME live cattle end lower as funds roll long positions
Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures closed lower on Monday, after funds sold, or rolled, their April long positions and simultaneously bought deferred months, traders said. Funds trading in CME’s live cattle and hog markets shifted June long positions further back in a procedure known as the “roll” by followers of […] Read more
U.S. livestock: Cash price unease weakens CME live cattle
Chicago | Reuters –– Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures closed lower on Thursday, pressured by profit-taking as early-week cash price optimism waned, traders said. April closed 0.85 cent/lb. lower at 135.45 cents, and June ended down 0.3 cent, to 125.625 (all figures US$). Packers are dug in with market-ready, or cash, cattle bids in […] Read more
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