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Live Cattle Dec '25 (LEZ25)

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Live Cattle Futures Market News and Commentary

Cattle Rallies into the Friday Close

Live cattle futures posted $1.20 to $2.05 higher trade across the board on Friday, with June holding up $5 on the week as the cash market was a driver. Cash trade was mostly $260-265 in the South this week, with northern trade at $408-415 dressed and up to $265 live. Feeder cattle futures were up $1.10 to $4.70 to close out the Friday session. August was $2.77 lower this week. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was down $3.14 to $370.09 on May 14. 

China has renewed expired export licenses for more than 400 US beef plants after letting them lapse. 

CFTC data showed managed money slashing 11,079 contracts from their net long in live cattle futures and options as of Tuesday, mainly via long liquidation, taking it to 130,886 contracts. In feeder cattle futures and options, specs were adding shorts and cutting longs, cutting 3,539 contracts from their net long to 15,186 contracts.

Wholesale Boxed Beef prices were stronger in the Friday afternoon report, with the Chc/Sel sprea... 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
12/08/25
Expiration Date
12/31/25 (expired)

Seasonal Chart

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

Commitment of Traders Positions as of May 12, 2026

View Chart Details
Commercials - Long / Short
96,978 (-3,668)
174,755 (-14,927)
Non-Commercials - Long / Short
158,107 (-7,284)
63,602 (+1,930)
Producers - Long / Short
26,519 (-5,243)
163,909 (-16,520)
Swap Dealers - Long / Short
69,117 (+1,097)
9,504 (+1,115)
Managed Money - Long / Short
143,522 (-6,269)
14,568 (+2,795)
Other Reportables - Long / Short
14,585 (-1,015)
49,034 (-865)
Get Realtime - Quotes and Charts for Futures Traders. Learn More >>

Price Performance

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Period Period Low Period High Performance
1-Month
213.150 +8.84%
on 12/01/25
233.700 -0.73%
on 12/31/25
+16.425 (+7.62%)
since 11/28/25
3-Month
204.550 +13.42%
on 11/25/25
248.300 -6.56%
on 10/16/25
-2.775 (-1.18%)
since 09/30/25
52-Week
188.850 +22.85%
on 03/04/25
248.300 -6.56%
on 10/16/25
+42.325 (+22.31%)
since 12/30/24

More Live Cattle Quotes

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Most Recent Stories

More News
Cattle Futures Recover and End Week on a Positive Note

Cash prices surge to new all-time highs and futures bounce back

Hogs Falls into the Friday Close

Lean hog futures posted 12 cent to $1.32 losses across the board on Friday, with June settling with a 12 cent gain on the week. USDA’s national base hog price was reported at $91.52 on Friday afternoon,...

HEN26 : 103.350s (-1.15%)
HEM26 : 98.750s (-0.78%)
HEQ26 : 104.150s (-1.26%)
Cattle Rallies into the Friday Close

Live cattle futures posted $1.20 to $2.05 higher trade across the board on Friday, with June holding up $5 on the week as the cash market was a driver. Cash trade was mostly $260-265 in the South this...

LEV26 : 239.875s (+0.76%)
LEQ26 : 247.925s (+0.72%)
LEM26 : 253.900s (+0.72%)
GFQ26 : 361.450s (+0.96%)
GFK26 : 368.675s (+0.30%)
GFU26 : 359.175s (+1.11%)
Shootin' the Bull about wrapping up the week.

Most contract months closed a little lower than last week, but for the most part, the week was filled with $5.00 to $9.00 ranges within the day.

Hogs Facing Midday Pressure

Lean hog futures are falling $1.02 to $1.85 lower so far on Friday. USDA’s national base hog price was reported at $91.87 on Friday morning. The CME Lean Hog Index was back down 26 cents on May 13 at...

HEN26 : 103.350s (-1.15%)
HEM26 : 98.750s (-0.78%)
HEQ26 : 104.150s (-1.26%)
Cattle Posting Midday Gains

Live cattle futures are trading with contracts $1.3 to $1.55 higher at midday. Cash trade has seen some $260 sales in the South this week with, with northern trade at $408-415 dressed and $265 live. Feeder...

LEV26 : 239.875s (+0.76%)
LEQ26 : 247.925s (+0.72%)
LEM26 : 253.900s (+0.72%)
GFQ26 : 361.450s (+0.96%)
GFK26 : 368.675s (+0.30%)
GFU26 : 359.175s (+1.11%)
Cattle Look to Round Out the Week After Retreating on Thursday

Live cattle futures retreated from early gains on Thursday with contracts down 32 to 72 cents at the close. Open interest suggested a rotation of ownership, down just 813 contracts. Cash trade has seen...

LEV26 : 239.875s (+0.76%)
LEQ26 : 247.925s (+0.72%)
LEM26 : 253.900s (+0.72%)
GFQ26 : 361.450s (+0.96%)
GFK26 : 368.675s (+0.30%)
GFU26 : 359.175s (+1.11%)
Hogs Look to Friday Trade

Lean hog futures saw losses of 45 cents to $1.35 in the front months on Thursday. USDA’s national base hog price was reported at $93.32 on Thursday afternoon, down $2.19 from the day prior. The CME Lean...

HEN26 : 103.350s (-1.15%)
HEM26 : 98.750s (-0.78%)
HEQ26 : 104.150s (-1.26%)
Horns Up, Policy Down: Live Cattle Futures Navigate New ATHs in a Minefield of Supply Shocks and White House Wildcards

Live cattle futures have had an extraordinary run in 2025 and into 2026, driven by the tightest domestic cattle supply since 1951 and sustained consumer beef demand that has held firm even as retail prices...

Hogs Slip Lower into Thursday’s Close

Lean hog futures saw losses of 45 cents to $1.35 in the front months on Thursday. USDA’s national base hog price was reported at $93.32 on Thursday afternoon, down $2.19 from the day prior. The CME Lean...

HEN26 : 103.350s (-1.15%)
HEM26 : 98.750s (-0.78%)
HEQ26 : 104.150s (-1.26%)

Barchart Trading Guide

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

Key Turning Points

3rd Resistance Point 235.767
2nd Resistance Point 234.733
1st Resistance Point 233.367
Last Price 232.000s
1st Support Level 230.967
2nd Support Level 229.933
3rd Support Level 228.567

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52-Week High 248.300
Last Price 232.000s
Fibonacci 61.8% 225.590
Fibonacci 50% 218.575
Fibonacci 38.2% 211.560
52-Week Low 188.850

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