The October Lean Hogs contract is now the lead contract as its volume has overtaken the August contract. It opened the session at 77.075 and broke down to the session low at 76.125. This is just below the 76.175 support level. It reversed course and rallied to the high of the day at 79.475. It settled at 78.925. A break out above the high could see price test resistance at 80.45. A failure from settlement could see price test support at 77.80. The Lean Hog Index is at 70.79 as of July 16th. The pork cutout index jumped to 73.91 as of July 17th.
October Live Cattle is the lead contract as its volume has been higher than the August contract. It consolidated Thursday’s decline and made a slightly lower low at 107.85. The high at 108.725 is just above resistance at 108.65. The low is above support at 107.30. It settled at 108.50. The market simmered as it waited for cash to trade in front of the Cattle on Feed and Inventory reports. The cash market was quiet so traders sat on their hands and waited for the reports. The on feed report came in at expected levels so is in my opinion a neutral report. Placements came in 2% below last year, marketings were 3% below last year and placements were 2% above last year. All cattle and calves totaled 103 million which is unchanged from last year. If cattle can take out 108.65 a run to resistance at 110.80 is likely. Resistance then comes in at 112.35. A failure from settlement could see price revisit the 107.30 support level and then move towards support at 106.025. Boxed beef cutouts were higher as choice cutouts were up 0.08 to 213.42 and select was up 0.90 to 189.51 on moderate to good demand and moderate offerings. The choice/ select spread narrowed to 23.91 and the load count was 90. Slaughter was 118,000. Slaughter is expected at 52,000 for Saturday to bring the weekly total to an estimated 651,000. Cash has traded this week between 111.00 and 115.00 on a live basis. It has traded between 182.00 and 185.00 on a dressed basis.
August Feeder Cattle consolidated within Thursday’s trading range and between support at 138.95 making the low of the day at 139.125 and making the high at resistance at the 13 DMA at 140.40. It settled at 139.975. A rally above the high could see price test Thursday’s high at 141.375. Resistance then comes in at 142.40 and 143.50. The high for the up move is at 143.75. A break down below 138.95 could see price test support down at 136.75. The Feeder Cattle Index declined to 138.67 as of July 18th.
For those interested I hold a weekly grain (with Sean Lusk) and livestock webinar on Thursday, July 25th at 3:00 pm. It is free for anyone who wants to sign up and the link for sign up is below. If you cannot attend live a recording will be sent to your email upon completion of the webinar.
**Call me for a free consultation for a marketing plan regarding your livestock needs.* *
Ben DiCostanzo
Senior Market Strategist
Walsh Trading, Inc.
Direct: 312.957.4163
888.391.7894
Fax: 312.256.0109,
www.walshtrading.com
RISK DISCLOSURE: THERE IS A SUBSTANTIAL RISK OF LOSS IN FUTURES AND OPTIONS TRADING. THIS REPORT IS A SOLICITATION FOR ENTERING A DERIVATIVES TRANSACTION AND ALL TRANSACTIONS INCLUDE A SUBSTANTIAL RISK OF LOSS. THE USE OF A STOP-LOSS ORDER MAY NOT NECESSARILY LIMIT YOUR LOSS TO THE INTENDED AMOUNT. WHILE CURRENT EVENTS, MARKET ANNOUNCEMENTS AND SEASONAL FACTORS ARE TYPICALLY BUILT INTO FUTURES PRICES, A MOVEMENT IN THE CASH MARKET WOULD NOT NECESSARILY MOVE IN TANDEM WITH THE RELATED FUTURES AND OPTIONS CONTRACTS.