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Live Cattle Apr '25 (LEJ25)

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Live Cattle Futures Market News and Commentary

Cattle Closes Mixed on Thursday

Live cattle futures posted mixed trade at the close, with contracts down $1.25 to $1.60 higher in the expiring April contract. Cash trade got kicked off early again this week, starting at $250-252 across the country and working up to $256-257 on Wednesday. Feeder cattle futures closed Thursday with gains of 80 cent to $1.15, as April was up $1.47 higher on expiration. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was up $2.67 to $372.47 on April 29. 

The Thursday update from APHIS showed a total of 1,647 active cases of new world screwworm in Mexico as of Wednesday. There were 132 active cases in the bordering state of Tamaulipas, with 11 active in Neuvo Leon, and the first case showing up in the bordering state of Coahuila.

The weekly Export Sales report showed 13,790 MT of beef sold for 2026 in the week ending on April 23. That was back down from the week prior. South Korea was the top buyer of 6,200 MT, with 3,100 MT sold to Japan. Shipments were pegged at 12,324 MT, which was a 7-week... Read more

Contract Specifications

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Contract
Live Cattle
Contract Size
40,000 pounds
Tick Size
0.00025 per pound ($10.00 per contract)
Trading Hours
8:30a.m. - 1:05p.m. (Settles 1:00p.m.) CST
Exchange
CME
Point Value
$400
Margin/Maintenance
$3,630/3,300
First Notice Date
04/07/25
Expiration Date
04/30/25 (expired)

Seasonal Chart

Live Cattle Apr '25
Average Price Chart for 5 Prior Apr Contracts

Commitment of Traders Positions as of Apr 21, 2026

View Chart Details
Commercials - Long / Short
96,446 (-1,300)
182,558 (-6,312)
Non-Commercials - Long / Short
156,520 (-1,057)
54,047 (+2,058)
Producers - Long / Short
28,252 (-2,857)
175,183 (-7,448)
Swap Dealers - Long / Short
66,890 (+1,280)
6,071 (+859)
Managed Money - Long / Short
142,863 (-370)
10,047 (-347)
Other Reportables - Long / Short
13,657 (-687)
44,000 (+2,405)
Get Realtime - Quotes and Charts for Futures Traders. Learn More >>

Price Performance

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Period Period Low Period High Performance
1-Month
197.750 +9.10%
on 04/09/25
217.675 -0.88%
on 04/30/25
+6.925 (+3.32%)
since 03/28/25
3-Month
189.500 +13.85%
on 03/04/25
217.675 -0.88%
on 04/30/25
+14.250 (+7.07%)
since 01/30/25
52-Week
175.525 +22.92%
on 08/21/24
217.675 -0.88%
on 04/30/25
+27.700 (+14.73%)
since 04/30/24

More Live Cattle Quotes

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Most Recent Stories

More News
Hogs Face Pressure on Thursday

Lean hog futures were down 25 cents to $1.65 at the Thursday close. USDA’s national base hog price was reported at $92.64 on Thursday afternoon, down 61 cents from the day prior. The CME Lean Hog Index...

HEM26 : 102.275s (-1.42%)
HEK26 : 93.450s (-1.74%)
HEN26 : 105.050s (-1.15%)
Cattle Closes Mixed on Thursday

Live cattle futures posted mixed trade at the close, with contracts down $1.25 to $1.60 higher in the expiring April contract. Cash trade got kicked off early again this week, starting at $250-252 across...

LEQ26 : 248.675s (-0.42%)
LEM26 : 254.000s (-0.49%)
LEJ26 : 258.475s (+0.62%)
GFK26 : 372.650s (+0.31%)
GFJ26 : 373.750s (+0.40%)
GFQ26 : 373.525s (+0.27%)
Shootin' the Bull about a lot of volatility

Volatility was exceptional today.  A mixed close as well suggests some spreading taking place.

Agricultural Prices

Agricultural Prices - 2026-04-30

KGN26 : 0.8220s (+3.79%)
ZSN26 : 1202-2 (+0.56%)
KIK26 : 319.50s (unch)
XBQ26 : 224.50s (-0.22%)
KON26 : 4,570s (-0.17%)
SWQ26 : 438.90s (-1.33%)
ZSBAUS.CM : -0.5878 (-3.71%)
ZON26 : 347-0 (-0.64%)
BJM26 : 1.6930s (-0.24%)
ZMN26 : 321.1 (+0.69%)
MLU26 : 213.50s (-1.73%)
ZCN26 : 477-4 (+0.58%)
Hogs Falling Back at Thursday’s Midday

Lean hog futures are down 67 cents to $1.37 at midday. USDA’s national base hog price was reported at $93.43 on Thursday morning, up 56 cents from the day prior. The CME Lean Hog Index was back up 12...

HEM26 : 102.275s (-1.42%)
HEK26 : 93.450s (-1.74%)
HEN26 : 105.050s (-1.15%)
Cattle Posting Mixed Thursday Trade

Live cattle futures are trading with April gains of $1.60 and other contracts down 7 to 67 cents. Cash trade got kicked off early again this week, starting at $250-252 across the country and working up...

LEQ26 : 248.675s (-0.42%)
LEM26 : 254.000s (-0.49%)
LEJ26 : 258.475s (+0.62%)
GFK26 : 372.650s (+0.31%)
GFJ26 : 373.750s (+0.40%)
GFQ26 : 373.525s (+0.27%)
Grilling Season Is Almost Here, and Lean Hog Prices Should Keep Climbing. 1 Trade to Make Here.

July lean hog futures present a buying opportunity on more price strength.

HEN26 : 105.050s (-1.15%)
LEM26 : 254.000s (-0.49%)
GFQ26 : 373.525s (+0.27%)
Hogs Look to Thursday after Posting Gains on Wednesday

Lean hog futures closed Wednesday with contracts up 25 cents to $1.85 higher. USDA’s national base hog price was reported at $93.25 on Wednesday afternoon, up 69 cents from the day prior. The CME Lean...

HEM26 : 102.275s (-1.42%)
HEK26 : 93.450s (-1.74%)
HEN26 : 105.050s (-1.15%)
Cattle Look to Close Out April Following Midweek Cash Strength

Live cattle futures closed mixed on Wednesday, with front months rallying with cash. April, which expires on Thursday was up $4.20, with other contracts down 25 cents to $1.75 higher. Open interest was...

LEQ26 : 248.675s (-0.42%)
LEM26 : 254.000s (-0.49%)
LEJ26 : 258.475s (+0.62%)
GFK26 : 372.650s (+0.31%)
GFJ26 : 373.750s (+0.40%)
GFQ26 : 373.525s (+0.27%)
Hogs Post Midweek Rally

Lean hog futures closed Wednesday with contracts up 25 cents to $1.85 higher. USDA’s national base hog price was reported at $93.25 on Wednesday afternoon, up 69 cents from the day prior. The CME Lean...

HEM26 : 102.275s (-1.42%)
HEK26 : 93.450s (-1.74%)
HEN26 : 105.050s (-1.15%)

Barchart Trading Guide

The Barchart Trading Guide is a Buy Signal with a Maximum Signal Strength.

Key Turning Points

3rd Resistance Point 218.958
2nd Resistance Point 218.317
1st Resistance Point 217.033
Last Price 215.750s
1st Support Level 215.108
2nd Support Level 214.467
3rd Support Level 213.183

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52-Week High 217.675
Last Price 215.750s
Fibonacci 61.8% 201.574
Fibonacci 50% 196.600
Fibonacci 38.2% 191.626
52-Week Low 175.525

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