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Firm Cash Market Today

MORNING LIVESTOCK REPORT  

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LEAN HOGS: 

Cash was higher yesterday with the late report confirming prices paid were up $1.25 to $2.75. Packers hate this. They hate having to compete in the negotiated market for hogs. The weekly kill is projected to come in at 2.685 million pigs, up about 3% from last week but unchanged from last year. The hog & pig suggested the kill for this week should run from up 6% to up 10% from last year. The carcass gained $2.85 and will likely be higher again today. Look for a firm to higher cash market today. So, with open interest in Oct futures at 19.4K, with the index headed upward and the contract under the index by 250 points, is today the day that the shorts begin to run for cover? It’s now clearly evident there won’t be a surge of hog numbers into expiration. Look for a rally today and it should be led by the Oct.

 LIVE CATTLE: 

The talk in cattle country is that despite the fact that on-feed inventory is record large the numbers of fed cattle ready for market are current, are not burdensome. This likely applies in TX and NB more so than in KS. Still, we’re hearing the many feedlots are full and need to move animals out, close them out so there’s room for replacements. Feeders seem to be confirming this outlook. I’m looking for a way to get short Jan feeders and at some point I’ll just have to pull the trigger and put in a buy stop. Perhaps at midday I’ll have the rec. If you need hedge protection in feeders, don’t wait for my sell rec. Most in the country are calling for another round of cash steer strength this week. Cash was established last week at $1.07 and 167-168. While I don’t have a problem with the outlook for higher cash this week, I’m not convinced the board is headed higher. In other words, we may start seeing the premium to cash leak away. Beef production is running at record high pace.

CORN AND SOYBEANS:

If you’re still not on board the long side of corn consider the following strategy.

  • Buy Dec 380 calls/sell 410 calls/sell 360 puts at 5 cents or less. The long call is already 2 cents in the money. Initial margin is only $490.

Futures and options trading involve significant risk of loss and may not be suitable for everyone.  Therefore, carefully consider whether such trading is suitable for you in light of your financial condition.  The information and comments contained herein is provided by ADMIS and in no way should be construed to be information provided by ADM.  The author of this report did not have a financial interest in any of the contracts discussed in this report at the time the report was prepared.  The information provided is designed to assist in your analysis and evaluation of the futures and options markets.  However, any decisions you may make to buy, sell or hold a futures or options position on such research are entirely your own and not in any way deemed to be endorsed by or attributed to ADMIS. Copyright ADM Investor Services, Inc.

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