What Are Cotton Futures?

Though the market for cotton futures is not nearly as large as certain other commodities, there is sufficient liquidity available for investors with the sophistication and ability necessary to invest directly in futures contracts.

Cotton futures are traded on the ICE under the symbol CT, with each contract representing 50,000 pounds net weight of cotton that meets certain minimum standards of basis grade and staple length. Futures contracts are priced in cents and hundredths of a cent per pound, and contract months include March, May, July, October, and December.

Cotton futures are also traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) under the symbol TT. These contracts are also for 50,000 pounds, and trading is conducted in the March, May, July, October, and December cycle for the next 24 months.

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