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Live Cattle Apr '26 (LEJ26)

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Live Cattle Futures Market News and Commentary

Cattle Fall Back on Friday

Live cattle were down 40 cents to $1.42 across most contracts, with June the lone exception, up a nickel. August was down 80 cents this week. Cash trade saw volume pick up late on Friday to $260 live and $408-410 dressed in the north, with a few sales at $258 in the South. Feeder cattle futures were down $3.45 to $3.90 on the Friday session with August up $3.25 this week. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was up $6.03 on June 24 to $381.86.

Commitment of Traders data showed managed money adding a modest 1,676 contracts to their net long position in live cattle futures and options at 126,025 contracts. In feeder cattle, specs were adding 2,104 contracts to 15,227 contracts.

Wholesale Boxed Beef prices were lower in the Friday PM report, with the Chc/Sel spread at $19.45. Choice boxes were down $5.29 at $391.03, with Select $3.16 lower to $371.58. USDA’s federally inspected cattle slaughter for this week was estimated at 537,000 head. That was up 9,000 from the previous week but... 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
$3,520/3,200
First Notice Date
04/06/26
Expiration Date
04/30/26 (expired)

Seasonal Chart

Live Cattle Apr '26
Average Price Chart for 5 Prior Apr Contracts

Commitment of Traders Positions as of Jun 23, 2026

View Chart Details
Commercials - Long / Short
94,603 (-2,872)
179,061 (-512)
Non-Commercials - Long / Short
153,100 (+2,870)
55,948 (+822)
Producers - Long / Short
27,714 (-3,459)
168,802 (-1,102)
Swap Dealers - Long / Short
65,407 (+83)
8,777 (+86)
Managed Money - Long / Short
135,644 (+3,324)
10,061 (+546)
Other Reportables - Long / Short
17,456 (-454)
45,887 (+276)
Get Realtime - Quotes and Charts for Futures Traders. Learn More >>

Price Performance

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Period Period Low Period High Performance
1-Month
239.350 +7.99%
on 03/31/26
258.725 -0.10%
on 04/30/26
+18.925 (+7.90%)
since 03/30/26
3-Month
227.325 +13.70%
on 03/09/26
258.725 -0.10%
on 04/30/26
+21.675 (+9.15%)
since 01/30/26
52-Week
202.025 +27.94%
on 05/01/25
258.725 -0.10%
on 04/30/26
+55.025 (+27.05%)
since 04/30/25

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Cattle Markets fall back

Futures ignore steady cash and trade lower

Cattle Fall Back on Friday

Live cattle were down 40 cents to $1.42 across most contracts, with June the lone exception, up a nickel. August was down 80 cents this week. Cash trade saw volume pick up late on Friday to $260 live and...

LEV26 : 239.200s (-0.59%)
LEQ26 : 245.825s (-0.57%)
LEM26 : 257.450s (+0.02%)
GFU26 : 367.675s (-1.00%)
GFQ26 : 369.850s (-0.92%)
GFV26 : 364.600s (-1.02%)
Hogs Follow Up USDA Report with Friday Gains

Lean hog futures were $1 to $1.37 higher on Friday, with front months down 2 to up 22 cents. July was $2.10 lower this week. USDA’s national base hog price was reported at $93.44 on Friday afternoon,...

HEQ26 : 96.575s (-0.03%)
HEN26 : 92.925s (+0.24%)
HEV26 : 81.950s (+1.24%)
Shootin' the Bull about heaping on the risk

Capital outlay hit a new high this week as historical prices were paid in multiple weight categories. This widened the starting feeder to finished fat spread by over $20.00 from June 16 to June 26.

Hogs Posting Strength on Friday

Lean hog futures are up a tick to $1.10 in the front months on Friday. USDA’s national base hog price was not reported on Friday morning. The CME Lean Hog Index was back down 7 cents on June 24 at $91.78...

HEQ26 : 96.575s (-0.03%)
HEN26 : 92.925s (+0.24%)
HEV26 : 81.950s (+1.24%)
Cattle Facing Friday Weakness

Live cattle are 35 cents to $1.20 in the red at midday. Cash trade saw some very light volume $260 live and $408 dressed in the north on Wednesday, with a few bids at $255. The Friday morning Fed Cattle...

LEV26 : 239.200s (-0.59%)
LEQ26 : 245.825s (-0.57%)
LEM26 : 257.450s (+0.02%)
GFU26 : 367.675s (-1.00%)
GFQ26 : 369.850s (-0.92%)
GFV26 : 364.600s (-1.02%)
Lean Hogs Are Rising. You Can Thank the USDA and Elevated Beef Prices.

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

HEQ26 : 96.575s (-0.03%)
HEQ26 : 96.575s (-0.03%)

Barchart Trading Guide

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

Relative Strength is above 70%. The market is in overbought territory. Watch for a potential trend reversal.

Key Turning Points

3rd Resistance Point 261.058
2nd Resistance Point 259.892
1st Resistance Point 259.183
Last Price 258.475s
1st Support Level 257.308
2nd Support Level 256.142
3rd Support Level 255.433

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52-Week High 258.725
Last Price 258.475s
Fibonacci 61.8% 237.066
Fibonacci 50% 230.375
Fibonacci 38.2% 223.684
52-Week Low 202.025

See More

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