Softs

Cocoa Futures Trying to Recover

Posted 06/20/2018 11:53AM CTPeter Mooses

Supply concerns have taken over the cocoa trade again. September futures are trying to stay above 2500. A few weeks back there were concerns of prices moving lower due to weaker currency prices and no “new” news on the supply/demand side of the equation. Of late, new supply concerns have surfaced in key growing regions. The possibility of El Nino affecting crops later in 2018, early 2019 are also helping prices rally. There still isn’t the demand needed in Europe and N. America to really push prices back to levels we traded earlier this year. Prices in the euro futures – which recently hit an 11-month low and pound, hitting a 7-month low are hurting demand in cocoa as well.

For now, monitor potential weather premium that could take place. Look for any fresh supply news to provide support in prices. Cautious bullish traders can look for entry in the market by buying longer-term calls until we see more solid fundamentals for guidance.

Cocoa Sep ’18 Daily Chart 

Cocoa Sep '18 Daily Chart

Peter Mooses

Follow Peter on Twitter @PMoosesRJO. Peter's interest in trading began during a college internship with Bunge North America on the floor of the Chicago Board of Trade, where he assisted commodities traders and performed market research and analysis. Upon earning a B.A. in economics from the University of Iowa, Peter served as an analyst, transaction manager and team lead in the Global Trust Divisions for LaSalle Bank and Bank of America, where he managed transaction activity in multi-million dollar client fixed income and asset-backed securities portfolios. After years in the banking industry, it became apparent that Peter's real passion lies in futures trading. He joined RJO Futures because he enjoys the analytical aspects of futures trading and appreciates the economic impact that commodities have across all markets. Peter believes in utilizing market analysis and trends to help clients achieve balance between risk and return, while always keeping their investment objectives top of mind.