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Live Cattle Apr '26 (LEJ26)

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Live Cattle Futures Market News and Commentary

Cattle Rallying into Tuesday’s Midday

Live cattle futures are trading with $1.52 to $2.10 gains at midday. December expires on Wednesday. Cash trade last week was reported at $229-230. This week has been quiet so far, with the Tuesday morning Fed Cattle Exchange showed dressed sales of $355 on 40 of the 1,278 head offered, with bids of $225. Feeder cattle futures are up another $2.55 to $2.90 at Tuesday’s midday. CME’s Feeder Cattle Index was back up $6.68 to $356.00 on December 26. 

USDA Wholesale Boxed Beef prices were mixed in the Tuesday AM report, with the Chc/Sel spread narrowing to $2.83. Choice boxes were down another 82 cents to $348.51, while Select was 6 cents higher at $345.68. Monday’s USDA federally inspected cattle slaughter was estimated at 118,000 head. That was 3,000 head below the week prior and 4,091 head shy of the same week last year. 

Dec 25 Live Cattle  are at $231.000, up $2.100,

Feb 26 Live Cattle  are at $230.500, up $1.525,

Apr 26 Live Cattle  are at $231.150, up $1.62... 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
04/06/26 (97 days)
Expiration Date
04/30/26 (121 days)

Seasonal Chart

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

Commitment of Traders Positions as of Dec 16, 2025

View Chart Details
Commercials - Long / Short
108,892 (-1,403)
172,079 (-190)
Non-Commercials - Long / Short
137,274 (+4,698)
61,343 (+4,857)
Producers - Long / Short
45,721 (-1,948)
163,634 (+214)
Swap Dealers - Long / Short
60,771 (+636)
6,045 (-313)
Managed Money - Long / Short
110,646 (+4,933)
21,059 (+1,780)
Other Reportables - Long / Short
26,628 (-235)
40,284 (+3,077)
Get Realtime - Quotes and Charts for Futures Traders. Learn More >>

Price Performance

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Period Period Low Period High Performance
1-Month
216.275 +6.94%
on 12/01/25
231.700 -0.18%
on 12/22/25
+11.725 (+5.34%)
since 11/28/25
3-Month
205.525 +12.53%
on 11/25/25
250.925 -7.83%
on 10/16/25
-6.875 (-2.89%)
since 09/30/25
52-Week
189.650 +21.95%
on 01/03/25
250.925 -7.83%
on 10/16/25
+41.175 (+21.66%)
since 12/30/24

More Live Cattle Quotes

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Most Recent Stories

More News
Hogs Posting Strength on Tuesday

Lean hog futures are trading with 55 cent to $1 gains on Tuesday. USDA’s national base hog price was not reported on Tuesday morning due to light volume. The CME Lean Hog Index was back down $1.40 on...

HEJ26 : 90.275 (+0.98%)
HEG26 : 85.550 (+1.27%)
HEK26 : 94.000 (+0.59%)
Cattle Rallying into Tuesday’s Midday

Live cattle futures are trading with $1.52 to $2.10 gains at midday. December expires on Wednesday. Cash trade last week was reported at $229-230. This week has been quiet so far, with the Tuesday morning...

LEJ26 : 230.875 (+0.59%)
LEG26 : 230.300 (+0.58%)
LEZ25 : 231.100 (+0.96%)
GFH26 : 344.550 (+0.84%)
GFF26 : 349.600 (+0.75%)
GFJ26 : 343.200 (+0.82%)
Hogs Traders Look to Tuesday Following Steady Monday

Lean hog futures saw mixed Monday action with nearby contracts within a dime of unchanged. USDA’s national base hog price was not reported on Monday afternoon due to light volume. The CME Lean Hog Index...

HEJ26 : 90.275 (+0.98%)
HEG26 : 85.550 (+1.27%)
HEK26 : 94.000 (+0.59%)
Cattle Look to Tuesday Trade

Live cattle futures were 17 to 92 cents lower on Monday. December expires on Wednesday. OI was down 879 contracts on Monday. Cash trade last week was reported at $229-230. Feeder cattle futures slopped...

LEJ26 : 230.875 (+0.59%)
LEG26 : 230.300 (+0.58%)
LEZ25 : 231.100 (+0.96%)
GFH26 : 344.550 (+0.84%)
GFF26 : 349.600 (+0.75%)
GFJ26 : 343.200 (+0.82%)
Hogs Drift in a Quiet Session

Hogs consolidate

Cattle Fade into the Close, as Feeders Hold on for Gains

Live cattle futures were 17 to 92 cents lower on Monday. December expires on Wednesday. Cash trade last week was reported at $229-230. Feeder cattle futures slopped into the close, but still managed to...

LEJ26 : 230.875 (+0.59%)
LEG26 : 230.300 (+0.58%)
LEZ25 : 231.100 (+0.96%)
GFH26 : 344.550 (+0.84%)
GFF26 : 349.600 (+0.75%)
GFJ26 : 343.200 (+0.82%)
Hogs Post Steady Trade on Monday

Lean hog futures saw mixed Monday action with nearby contracts within a dime of unchanged. USDA’s national base hog price was not reported on Monday afternoon due to light volume. The CME Lean Hog Index...

HEJ26 : 90.275 (+0.98%)
HEG26 : 85.550 (+1.27%)
HEK26 : 94.000 (+0.59%)
Shootin' the Bull about updating the wave count on feeders

The wave count on the fats differs slightly than the feeders.

Walsh Gamma Trader

Low-Cost Options, With Limited Risk

Hogs Higher at Monday’s Midday

Lean hog futures are showing slight 5 to 17 cent gains so far on Monday. USDA’s national base hog price was not reported on Monday morning. The CME Lean Hog Index was back up 13 cents on December 24...

HEJ26 : 90.275 (+0.98%)
HEG26 : 85.550 (+1.27%)
HEK26 : 94.000 (+0.59%)

Barchart Trading Guide

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

Key Turning Points

3rd Resistance Point 233.117
2nd Resistance Point 232.108
1st Resistance Point 230.817
Last Price 230.875
1st Support Level 228.517
2nd Support Level 227.508
3rd Support Level 226.217

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52-Week High 250.925
Last Price 230.875
Fibonacci 61.8% 227.518
Fibonacci 50% 220.288
Fibonacci 38.2% 213.057
52-Week Low 189.650

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