ICE cotton futures weakened on Thursday, with contracts closing down 9 to 25 points. Crude oil futures rose by $2.28 per barrel during the day to $65.49, while the US dollar index fell by 0.264 points to 96.010.

Export Sales data showed cotton sales of 203,666 running bales for the week ending January 22, the lowest level in the past three weeks. Of this total, 52,000 running bales were sold to Pakistan, 45,600 running bales to Vietnam, and 38,800 running bales to China. Cotton shipments for the week totaled 257,036 running bales, the largest weekly figure since May, with 114,400 running bales shipped to Vietnam and 37,600 running bales to Turkey.

Census trade data showed November cotton exports (excluding linters) at 539,059 bales, the lowest level in four years.

The Wednesday online auction from The Seam reported sales of 9,834 bales at an average price of 59.34 cents per pound. The Cotlook A Index rose by 85 points on January 27 to 74.15 cents. ICE certified cotton stocks increased by 3 bales on January 28 to a total of 8,600 bales. The Adjusted World Price was updated this afternoon to 50.23 cents per pound, down 76 points from the previous week.