The cotton market was slightly higher as the traders await Thursday’s weekly sales and exports data. Last week, USDA released one cumulative report encompassing six weeks of delayed business. Total sales were some 977,000 bales and shipments exceeded the one million bales mark. Although those amounts sound dynamic, when averaged out, neither pushed the market closer to USDA’s preordained seasonal targets. If China were to be in Thursday’s mix, it would be a psychological boon to the market.

Pakistan claims she is holding a shot-down Indian pilot in its latest skirmish with India. Earlier this week, the two sides exchanged gunfire. This action is nothing new, as they have been at odds since the 1950s. However, both are nuclear powers and that makes the situation unduly scary. Naturally, a conventional war might potentially disrupt shipping lanes and commerce in that region. Both nations rank within the top five of all cotton-producing countries.

Looking forward in time, the market may yet stand to benefit from a U.S./China trade deal, a break in the U.S. dollar, a continued surge in the U.S. economy and potential havoc from Mother Nature during spring plantings.

May cotton settled at 72.36 cents, up 0.34 cent, July was at 73.58 cents, up 0.30 cent and December finished at 73.00 cents, up 0.32 cent. Wednesday’s estimated volume was a slow 16,700 contracts traded.