Cotton Posts Friday Rally

Group 1 - Cotton futures experienced gains, with front months increasing by as much as 74 points and May up 165 points for the week [1] - Crude oil prices rose by $3.57 to $99.30, while the US dollar index increased by $0.776 to 100.530 [1] - CFTC data indicated a reduction of 6,183 contracts from the managed money net short position in cotton futures, bringing the total net short to 66,754 contracts as of March 10 [1] Group 2 - Total cotton export commitments reached 9.157 million RB, reflecting a 10% decrease from the previous year, which is 81% of USDA's forecast [2] - Cotton shipments amounted to 5.029 million RB, 4% lower than a year ago and 45% of the USDA export estimate, trailing the 50% average shipping pace [2] Group 3 - The Cotlook A Index decreased by 5 points to 75.70 cents, while the Seam reported sales of 4,202 bales averaging 56.13 cents/lb [3] - ICE certified cotton stocks fell by 2,728 bales to a total of 116,789 bales as of March 12 [3] - The Adjusted World Price increased by 6 points to 51.50 cents/lb [3] - May 26 Cotton closed at 65.85, up 71 points; Jul 26 Cotton closed at 67.89, up 74 points; Oct 26 Cotton closed at 69.61, up 60 points [3]