Keith Brown DTN Contributing Cotton Analyst    

Despite all the up-and-down trading that unfolded in the Dow Jones, cotton posted a tight range, but settled lower. The stock market was, of course, heavily influenced by Tuesday's CPI Report, which was something of a mixed bag. Inflation did rise by one-tenth percent. Thus the U.S. dollar, gold, and the Dow all ran hot and cold at times.    

Wednesday the government will issue retail sales for January. Although known for post-Christmas sales, typically the winter weather keeps shoppers mostly at bay. Core retail sales month-over-month are expected at 0.8% increase, versus last month's decline of -1.1%. The data is out at 8:30 a.m. EST.    

Later in the week, the cotton market will face the PPI and export sales. Both of those numbers will potentially affect the prices of cotton.    

Tuesday, March 2023 finished at 85.40 cents, minus .24, July settled at 86.16 cents, down .06, and December 2023 ended at 85.07 cents, .10 higher. Today's estimated volume was 46,179 contracts.    

.Keith Brown can be reached at commodityconsults@gmail.com 

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