Live Cattle Futures Experience Losses Amid Unchanged Trading Environment

Market Snapshot and Current Pricing Trends

Live cattle futures are experiencing losses of $1.25 to $1.75 on Wednesday. No sales were reported from the Central Stockyard Fed Cattle Exchange, with bids ranging from $188 to $191. Monday also saw no trades, as most participants focused on compiling showlists. Additionally, there were no deliveries reported against December live cattle on Tuesday. Feeder cattle futures declined between 92 cents and $1.50 by midday. The CME Feeder Cattle Index increased by 81 cents from the previous day, now standing at $261.54 as of December 16.

Wholesale Beef Prices and Slaughter Data

The USDA reported lower wholesale Boxed Beef prices in their Wednesday morning update. Choice boxes decreased by $1.50 to $314.13 per hundredweight (cwt), while Select boxes fell $3.08 to $285.42. Moreover, the USDA estimated that Tuesday’s federally inspected cattle slaughter totaled 123,000 head, bringing the week-to-date total to 241,000 head. This number is 2,000 head above the same time last week, but down by 6,465 from the same week last year.

Current Pricing for Live and Feeder Cattle

Dec 24 Live Cattle are priced at $191.000, down $1.250.

Feb 25 Live Cattle are at $188.025, down $1.725.

Apr 25 Live Cattle are at $190.200, down $1.375.

Jan 25 Feeder Cattle are at $256.550, down $0.925.

Mar 25 Feeder Cattle are at $256.775, down $1.500.

Apr 25 Feeder Cattle are at $258.175, down $1.200.

On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information, please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.

The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.