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Live cattle futures closed 5 to 35 cents lower after a volatile Monday session, with cash trade reported at $208-210 in the South and $212-214 in the North. The CME Feeder Cattle Index fell $3.12 to $289.30 on April 18.
USDA's Cattle on Feed report showed April 1 inventory down 1.59% to 11.638 million head, with heifers at a five-year low share.
A smaller heifer share on feed points to tighter future beef supplies that support cattle prices, though the short-term move reflects fund liquidation and equity weakness.
barchart.comAustin SchroederApr 21, 2025After 144 past bearish report events, Live Cattle moved a median -0.1% over 5 sessions (49% higher; middle half -1.1% to +0.9%), and +0.5% over 20.
After 126 past bearish report events, Feeder Cattle moved a median +0.1% over 5 sessions (52% higher; middle half -1.3% to +2.0%), and +0.6% over 20.
Moves of each commodity's benchmark from the last close before the event. Historical reads pool past events of the same kind; they describe what happened, not what will. Not investment advice.
Reports the CME Feeder Cattle Index falling $3.12 on April 18 and a volatile post-holiday session with lower futures, plus Cattle on Feed data, which together fit the sharp feeder decline.
