Keith Brown DTN Contributing Cotton Analyst    

The cotton market was somewhat higher Friday as the June WASDE proved to be neutral, or at least, not overly bearish. In addition, traders were encouraged by the fact the S&P 500 posted fresh highs for the year.    

USDA issued its June WASDE on Friday at 12:00 p.m. EDT. The webpage summary is as follows:    

"The 2023/24 U.S. cotton projections compared to last month show lower beginning stocks, but higher production, exports, and ending stocks. Projected abandonment in the Southwest has been reduced due to recent favorable rainfall, resulting in a production increase of 1.0 million bales to 16.5 million.    

"Overall U.S. abandonment is now projected at 16%, which would be less than half its 2022/23 level, and close to the long run average. Exports are 500,000 bales higher, at 14.0 million, as both projected U.S. supplies and world trade are higher this month.    

"The 2023/24 season average upland farm price is down 1 cent from the May forecast, at 77 cents per pound, and ending stocks are 200,000 bales higher, at 3.5 million. Revisions to the 2022/23 U.S. cotton balance sheet include a 100,000-bale reduction in domestic mill use based on lagging spinning activity to date, and a 400,000-bale increase in exports based on strong sales and shipment activity to date.    

"Ending stocks for 2022/23 are now projected 300,000 bales lower than in May. In the global 2023/24 cotton balance sheet, higher beginning stocks and production more than offset an increase in consumption, and ending stocks are projected 515,000 bales higher than in May, at 92.8 million.    

"The forecast for world cotton production is 1.0 million bales higher this month as larger crops in the United States and Pakistan offset a 500,000- bale reduction for China. Consumption is 765,000 bales higher with increases in Vietnam, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Turkey.    

"World trade is also projected higher, up WASDE-637-5 900,000 bales, led by increased U.S. exports and China imports. Beginning stocks are 254,000 bales higher as the consumption prospects for 2022/23 continue to decline, down 538,000 bales from the May forecast. The 2022/23 forecast for world production is virtually unchanged as a 740,000-bale decline for West Africa's Franc Zone is largely offset by increases for the crops in India and Brazil."    

Also today, July options will settle at the session's close. Traders have till 5 p.m. today to announce any exercising of positions. On June 26, the July futures will enter delivery.    

Next week, the Federal Reserve will meet on Tuesday and Wednesday concerning U.S. interest rates. Currently, traders are fairly divided between those who expect to see another quarter-point hike, and those who favor a "pause."    

Friday, July settled at 84.04 cents, down .27, and December 2023 ended at 81.82, .19 higher. Today's estimated volume was 56,182 contracts.    

Keith Brown can be reached at commodityconsults@gmail.com 

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