光大期货棉花策略月报-20260105

1. Report's Investment Rating for the Industry - No relevant information provided. 2. Core Views of the Report - The international cotton market has limited driving forces. The Fed is likely to keep rates unchanged in January. The global cotton supply - demand gap is small, and the US cotton market is expected to fluctuate. [10] - The domestic cotton market has strong expectations. The reduction of cotton planting area in Xinjiang in 2026 is certain, leading to a strong expectation of lower production. The demand side is resilient, and there is positive sentiment at the macro - level. The Zhengzhou cotton futures price has strong support below, and there may be an upward space in the medium - to - long - term. [11] 3. Summary by Relevant Catalogs 3.1 Supply - New - year cotton planting area is expected to decline, with strong sentiment. In Xinjiang, measures to reduce cotton planting area are being implemented. [6] - Pima cotton processing volume increased by about 1.1 million tons year - on - year. As of December 25, 2025, the processing volume was 6.697 million tons, with a month - on - month increase of 0.211 million tons and a year - on - year increase of 1.09 million tons. [39][41] - National cotton inspection volume increased. As of December 30, 2025, Xinjiang's inspection volume was 6.1358 million tons, and the national volume was 6.3243 million tons. [43] - Pima cotton sales rate and sales volume are much higher than the same period last year. As of December 25, 2025, the sales volume was 3.731 million tons, and the sales rate was 50.7%. [46][47] 3.2 Demand - US clothing retail remains strong. In October, the monthly retail sales of US clothing and clothing accessories were 27.128 billion US dollars, with a month - on - month increase of 0.9% and a year - on - year increase of 5.7%. [50][52] - The operating rates of textile enterprises in Vietnam, India, and Pakistan decreased or remained flat. As of December 26, Vietnam's operating rate was 61.9%, India's was 66.9%, and Pakistan's was 65.5%. [54] - In November in China, the retail sales of clothing, footwear, knitwear, and textiles were 154.2 billion yuan, a year - on - year increase of 3.5%. The cumulative retail sales from January to November were 1.3597 trillion yuan, a year - on - year increase of 3.5%. [7][57] - The comprehensive yarn load decreased week - on - week. As of the week of December 26, the comprehensive yarn load was 50.1%, and the pure - cotton yarn mill load was 46.86%. [7][58] - The opening load of the grey fabric end decreased slightly, with a smaller decline than the yarn end. As of the week of December 26, the comprehensive short - fiber fabric load was 51.26%, and the pure - cotton grey fabric load was 48.66%. [7][59] 3.3 Import and Export - In the 2025/26 season, the US cotton export contract volume is still low year - on - year. As of December 11, 2025, the total US cotton export contract volume was 1.445 million tons, a year - on - year decrease of 0.243 million tons. [8][60] - In November, the export value of China's textile yarns, fabrics, and related products was 12.276 billion US dollars, a year - on - year increase of 0.98%. The cumulative export from January to November was 130.01 billion US dollars, a year - on - year increase of 0.9%. [8][64] - In November, the export value of China's clothing and clothing accessories was 11.594 billion US dollars, a year - on - year decrease of 10.93%. The cumulative export from January to November was 137.79 billion US dollars, a year - on - year decrease of 4.4%. [8][66] - In November, China imported 120,000 tons of cotton, a month - on - month increase of 30,000 tons and a year - on - year increase of 10,000 tons. [8][70] - In November, China imported 150,000 tons of cotton yarn, a slight month - on - month increase. [75] - The import cotton price index strengthened month - on - month. As of December 31, 2025, the price index of medium - grade imported cotton with a 1% quota was 12,922 yuan/ton, a week - on - week increase of 59 yuan. [79][81] 3.4 Inventory - US clothing retail inventory increased month - on - month, while wholesaler inventory decreased month - on - month. In September 2025, the retail inventory was 58.488 billion US dollars, and the wholesaler inventory was 28.229 billion US dollars. [82][84] - Yarn comprehensive inventory decreased, and grey fabric inventory accumulated. As of the week of December 26, the yarn comprehensive inventory was 27.66 days, and the short - fiber fabric comprehensive inventory was 31.92 days. [85][86] - Spinning enterprises' raw material inventory decreased slightly, and finished - product inventory decreased significantly. As of the week of December 26, the spinning enterprises' cotton inventory was 31.94 days, and the cotton yarn inventory was 27.66 days. [88] - Weaving factories' raw material and finished - product inventory increased month - on - month. As of the week of December 26, the weaving factories' cotton yarn inventory was 6.92 days, and the pure - cotton grey fabric inventory was 35.06 days. [89] - China's domestic cotton commercial inventory increased by 0.66 million tons month - on - month, basically the same year - on - year. As of December 15, 2025, the commercial inventory was 5.349 million tons. [90][92] - The number of cotton warehouse receipts is higher than the same period last year. As of December 30, 2025, the total number of warehouse receipts and effective forecasts was 9,185. [97][99] 3.5 Price - The spot price of cotton moved up. As of December 30, 2025, the national average price was 15,543 yuan/ton, a month - on - month increase of 4.34%. [18][22] - The 1 - 5 spread of cotton strengthened. As of December 31, 2025, the 1 - 5 spread was 70 yuan/ton, a month - on - month increase of 45 yuan. [27][29] - The price difference between domestic and foreign cotton under a 1% tariff fluctuated and strengthened. As of December 30, 2025, the price difference was 2,621 yuan/ton, a month - on - month increase of 605 yuan. [30][31] - The increase in the cotton yarn futures price was lower than that of the cotton futures price. As of December 31, 2025, the closing price of cotton yarn futures was 20,585 yuan/ton, a month - on - month increase of 2.69%. [33][34] - The cotton yarn basis gradually converged. As of December 31, 2025, the basis was 555 yuan/ton, a month - on - month decrease of 210 yuan. [35][36] 3.6 Option - The historical volatility of cotton options increased significantly. [100]