# Hales: Beef Cutout Prices Slide as Packers Return to Profitability

> Hales Trading Co. reports cattle slaughter estimated at 107,000 head on the day, with week-to-date slaughter 5,000 head above last week and a weekly pace of about 539,000 head. The beef cutout is down $4.00 to $362 while fed cattle costs rose $2.00 to $218.64 in Nebraska, restoring packer margins to a positive $15-$45 per head.

- Date: 2026-11-11 · published 2026-11-12T03:07:07.254Z
- Category: market · region US · magnitude low
- Page: https://feedsoft.ai/events/94783-hales-beef-cutout-prices-slide-as-packers-return-to-profitability
- Commodities: [Live Cattle](https://feedsoft.ai/c/LCATTLE.md), [Feeder Cattle](https://feedsoft.ai/c/FCATTLE.md)

## Why it matters

Packer profitability returning while slaughter rises above 540,000 head points to more beef in the pipeline than can be absorbed, pressuring cutout values and supporting the case for softer cattle demand. Feed buyers may see slightly firmer cattle placements but weaker beef pricing sentiment.

## Read by commodity

- FCATTLE: neutral
- LCATTLE: bearish ▼

## Sources

- meatingplace.com: https://meatingplace.com/hales-beef-cutout-prices-slide-as-packers-return-to-profitability/

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Data from Feedsoft AI (https://feedsoft.ai/). For information only; not investment advice.