Report Summary 1. Investment Rating No investment rating for the industry is provided in the report. 2. Core View The Zhengzhou cotton futures edged up slightly and maintained a volatile trend. The ICE cotton futures also rose slightly after the latest USDA raised the forecast for US cotton production. In the short - term, Zhengzhou cotton may have some upward potential due to the upcoming high - temperature weather in Xinjiang's main cotton - producing areas, but in the medium - to - long - term, the loose supply - demand pattern at home and abroad and high inventory levels limit the upside space for cotton prices [2][15]. 3. Summary by Directory 3.1 Market Overview - The main 2509 contract of Zhengzhou cotton fell 0.14%, with the final closing price at 14,170 yuan/ton, up 10 yuan/ton from the previous trading day. The US cotton rose 0.66% overnight, closing at 68.74 cents/pound. The latest USDA raised the US cotton production forecast, leading to a slight increase in ICE cotton futures [2]. 3.2 Macroeconomic and Industry News - On July 25, 2025, the total cotton warehouse receipts on the Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange were 9,615 (-57) sheets, including 9,265 (-72) registered warehouse receipts and 350 (+15) valid forecasts [3]. - As of July 24, the yarn inventory of major textile enterprises was 31.7 days, up 0.63% week - on - week, reaching a three - month high and higher than the same period in 2023 and 2024 [3]. - As of July 24, 2025, the national new cotton sales rate was 96.5%, 7.6 percentage points higher than the same period last year [4]. - Based on the estimated domestic cotton output of 6.676 million tons, as of July 24, the cumulative picked seed cotton converted to lint cotton was 6.676 million tons, an increase of 773,000 tons year - on - year and 583,000 tons more than the average of the past four years. The cumulative sold lint cotton was 6.44 million tons, an increase of 1.194 million tons year - on - year and 1.03 million tons more than the average of the past four years [5]. - In June 2025, Shanghai's top ten department stores sold 134,100 pieces of clothing, a month - on - month decrease of 65,300 pieces (32.74%) and a year - on - year decrease of 26,900 pieces (16.70%). The total sales amount was 99 million yuan, a month - on - month decrease of 38 million yuan (27.77%) and a year - on - year decrease of 26 million yuan (20.51%). The average selling price was 739.52 yuan/piece, up 7.39% month - on - month and down 4.58% year - on - year [6]. - As of July 24, the total inventory of imported cotton at major ports was 353,300 tons, a week - on - week decrease of 3.28%. The inventory in Shandong's Qingdao and Jinan ports and surrounding warehouses was about 288,000 tons, a week - on - week decrease of 3.68% and a year - on - year decrease of 38.33% [6]. 3.3 Data Charts The report includes charts on CZCE and ICE cotton futures prices, cotton spot prices and basis, 9 - 1 spread, textile profit, cotton import profit,棉纱 import profit, warehouse receipt quantity, and non - commercial positions [8][9][12]. 3.4 Analysis and Strategy - Internationally, the US Markit manufacturing PMI in July fell back into contraction, but overall business activity expanded at the fastest pace since December. The number of initial jobless claims in the US last week dropped for six consecutive weeks to 217,000, the lowest since mid - April, while the number of continuing jobless claims remained at a high level since 2021. The improvement in unemployment data may affect the interest - rate cut policy [15]. - The global cotton supply - demand is expected to remain loose. In the next one to two weeks, high - temperature weather in Xinjiang's main cotton - producing areas may be unfavorable for cotton growth, which could impact production and market sentiment. In the short - term, Zhengzhou cotton may have some upward potential, but the loose supply - demand pattern at home and abroad and high inventory levels limit the upside space for cotton prices in the medium - to - long - term [15].