Jack Scoville
Jack Scoville is an often quoted market analyst in the grain and soft commodities sectors. You will find his commentary throughout the Reuters, Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones, Bloomberg, and Barron's publications. Contact Mr. Scoville at (312) 264-4322
Translate
Softs Report 09/12/2024
COTTON
General Comments: Cotton was higher yesterday on speculative buying and reports that the weather in southern states will feature a hurricane that could damage crops. There are still ideas of weaker demand potential against an outlook for improved US production in the coming year. Speculators see no reason to buy except to cover short positions as there have been demand concerns about Bangladesh and China and ideas are that production is strong enough. The Delta should have the best looking crops right now even after some very hot weather, but crops in other areas are more suspect. Texas and the Southeast have seen some extreme heat so far this year, and Texas has also seen dry conditions at times during the growing season. Delta areas are about to get hit by a hurricane by some time tonight that could damage or destroy open bolls. Demand has been weaker so far this year but there are hopes for improved demand with the lower prices. Futures are now as cheap as they have been for several years.
Overnight News:
Chart Trends: Trends in Cotton are mixed to down with no objectives. Support is at 68.30, 67.50, and 66.30 December, with resistance of 71.30, 73.00 and 75.80 December.
DJ U.S. Export Sales: Weekly Sales Totals-Sep 12
For the week ended Sep 5, in thousand running bales. Net changes in commitments are gross sales, less cancellations, buy-backs and other downward adjustments. Total
commitments are total export shipments plus total sales.
Source: USDA
wk’s net change total
in commitments commitments undlvd sales
this year next year this yr last yr this yr next yr
upland cotton 116.1 0.0 4764.4 5379.3 4015.2 347.9
pima cotton 10.6 0.0 126.2 58.1 86.3 0.0
FCOJ
General Comments: FCOJ collapsed yesterday despite ideas of reduced production continue and as forecasts call for limited tropical activity in the near future in the Atlantic. Nothing appeared threatening in the forecasts for this or next week and there is nothing in the ocean to suggest that a storm is on its way to Florida but one is headed for the Texas-Louisiana border area. A very active year has been forecast but has yet to come true. The market remains well supported in the longer term based on forecasts for tight supplies in Florida. The reduced production appears to be mostly at the expense of the greening disease. There are no weather concerns to speak of for Florida or for Brazil right now although reports indicate that Brazil is hot and dry.
Overnight News:
Chart Trends: Trends in FCOJ are mixed. Support is at 477.00, 468.00, and 453.00 November, with resistance at a 506.00, 512.00, and 518.00 November
COFFEE
General Comments: New York closed a little lower and London closed higher yesterday with offers from Vietnam and Indonesia still hard to find but offers from Brazil in the market. Indonesian offers are still less as producers wait for higher prices before selling. Damage was done to crops earlier in the growing season in Vietnam and lower production is now expected for the next crop. It is very dry in Brazil right now.
Overnight News: The ICO average price is now 251.18 ct/lb.
Chart Trends: Trends in New York are mixed. Support is at 234.00, 229.00, and 226.00 December, and resistance is at 248.00, 252.00 and 259.00 December. Trends in London are up with no objectives. Support is at 4660, 4620, and 4530 November, with resistance at 5180, 5240, and 5300 November.
SUGAR
General Comments: New York and London closed higher yesterday in recovery trading. Chinese demand is a problem amid the economic problems seen there. Harvest progress in Brazil and improved growing conditions in India and Thailand are the important fundamentals and growing conditions are dry in Brazil. Indian and Thai monsoon rains have been very beneficial and mills are expecting strong crops of cane. They are pushing the governments to allow exports but so far the governments have not agreed to allow any exports. Production estimates were raised in the northern hemisphere. Harvest yields of Sugarcane in Brazil are strong.
Overnight News:
Chart Trends: Trends in New York are down with no objectives. Support is at 1850, 1780, and 1720 October and resistance is at 1940, 1960, and 1990 October. Trends in London are up with no objectives. Support is at 517.00, 513.00, and 508.00 October, with resistance at 536.00, 547.00, and 549.00 October.
COCOA
Questions? Ask Jack Scoville today at 312-264-4322General Comments: New York and London closed higher yesterday on less offers now but as production for the next crop looks to be improved. The market has rejected a new leg down on the daily charts last week and is back solidly in the previous trading range. Production in West Africa could be stronger this year on currently dry weather in Ivory Coast. Ghana has had hot and dry conditions and there are reports that pods are being aborted. Above average rain is now forecast for the next couple of weeks to improve conditions in West Africa. The availability of Cocoa from West Africa remains very restricted, but surplus production against demand is expected in the next crop year.
Overnight News:
Chart Trends: Trends in New York are down with objectives of 6820 and 6020 December. Support is at 6600, 6000, and 5870 December, with resistance at 7940, 8240, and 8550 December. Trends in London are mixed. Support is at 4870, 4850, and 4790 December, with resistance at 5510, 5690, and 5800 December.