ICE cotton futures posted losses of 30 to 40 points on Thursday. Crude oil futures rose $2.41 per barrel to $58.40, while the U.S. dollar index strengthened by 0.183 points to 98.605.

According to USDA’s Export Sales report, 98,031 running bales (RB) of 2025/26 upland cotton were sold in the week ending January 1, marking a 9-week low. Vietnam was the largest buyer with 38,700 RB, while 14,400 RB were sold to Pakistan. Sales for 2026/27 totaled 22,491 RB. Export shipments were reported at 154,036 RB, a 10-week high, with 47,800 RB headed to Vietnam and 28,800 RB to Pakistan.

Census data showed cotton exports (excluding linters) at 781,641 bales, a 5-year high and 31.99% above September.

Wednesday’s online auction on The Seam showed sales of 17,239 bales at an average price of 60.02 cents per pound. The Cotlook A Index was up 35 points on January 7 at 75.05 cents. ICE certified cotton stocks were steady on January 7 at 11,510 bales. The Adjusted World Price was updated last week to 50.76 cents per pound, up 74 points from the prior week.