Archive · 18 Dec 2025
CME Livestock Futures Dip Before Holidays
On December 17, the prices for livestock futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange went down.
Traders were making profits from recent price increases, and investors were adjusting their positions before the holidays.
The price of beef also went down a bit.
There's some uncertainty about how many cattle are available for processing, and beef packers are losing money.
The prices for live cattle and feeder cattle also dropped slightly.
The price for lean hogs went down a little too.
Everyone is waiting for more data to understand the market better.
CME livestock futures dipped as traders locked in profits and adjusted positions before holidays.
Strength in Chicago corn futures and a drop in wholesale beef prices weighed on feeder cattle futures.
USDA priced choice beef at $356.92 per cwt, down $1.96 from Tuesday, and select cuts at $348.84 per cwt, down 26 cents.
Tight cattle supplies and chilly weather in the U.S. mid-section continued to underpin the market.
Beef packer margins slid sharply lower, with losses of $140.75 per head of cattle as of Wednesday.
- Who
- Traders and investors in the CME livestock futures market
- What
- Dip in livestock futures prices due to profit-taking and holiday trading
- When
- December 17, 2023
- Where
- Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME)
- Why
- Traders locking in profits from recent price rallies and adjusting positions ahead of the holidays
- Market
- Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME)
- Date
- December 17
- Live Cattle (Feb)
- 299.55 cents per pound
- Feeder Cattle (Jan)
- 341.525 cents per pound
- Feeder Cattle (Mar)
- 336.325 cents per pound
- Lean Hog (Feb)
- 83.000 cents per pound
- Choice Beef Price
- $356.92 per cwt
- Select Beef Price
- $348.84 per cwt