5/22/26 Weekly Market Recap

Corn: Corn was mixed this week, with July contracts closing lower at $4.6325. Prices saw some pressure mid-week through profit-taking and crude oil weakness, but held some support on US-China trade optimism and weather concerns. The new crop December closed at $4.865 for the week.

Soybeans: Soybeans were volatile with July contracts closing at $11.965. Optimism around expanded Chinese purchases of US ag products provided support, though prices eased late in the week. The new crop November contract closed at $11.8825

KC Wheat: KC HRW wheat faced pressure and closed lower for the week, with July at $6.82 after trading higher in the week. The new crop December contract closed the week at $7.09.

Cotton: Cotton futures fell hard, with July settling at $77.42 . Prices pulled back on a stronger dollar, lower crude, and expected rainfall in the US Cotton Belt.

Live Cattle: Live cattle faced pressure and closed lower for the week, with August contracts at $239.6 after early-week gains. Cash trade held steady, but futures saw liquidation on news this week concerning packer dynamics and the upcoming cattle on feed report.

Feeder Cattle: Feeder cattle were volatile. After hitting higher levels mid-week to closing limit-down on Thursday the August contract settled at $349.85.

Crude Oil: Crude was volatile and ended the week lower, with July contracts dropping from over $107 to $96.60. Geopolitical de-escalation hopes and demand concerns weighed on prices.

S&P 500: The S&P 500 posted modest weekly gains, closing around 7473 . It showed resilience despite some late-week pressure from yields and headlines, extending a strong recent run. 
Key Report: The May 1 cattle on feed report was released Friday (May 22) and ended up being a bearish report. It showed that there was an on-feed estimate of 101.6% and the actual was 102%- slightly higher than expected. The cattle placed estimate was at 104.6% and came in at 106%. Marketed cattle was estimated at 90.7% and actual was 90%.