Hog Market Watches Quarterly Report Amid Light Holiday Trading
With Christmas approaching next Thursday, there is not much in the way of new information influencing the grain or livestock markets. Holiday schedules are beginning to thin out trading activity, and market participants are largely positioning ahead of upcoming reports rather than making aggressive moves.
One notable exception this week is the quarterly hogs and pigs report, which is scheduled for release after the close on Tuesday afternoon. Traders will have Wednesday to digest and react to the data, but expectations are for very light trade, given the proximity to the holiday and reduced market participation.
The quarterly hog and pig report often provides important insight into breeding inventories, farrowing intentions, and overall hog supplies. While the report has the potential to spark some short-term movement, many analysts believe any reaction could be muted due to thin volumes and limited follow-through ahead of Christmas.
From a technical standpoint, the hog market has shown signs of underlying support. Buyers have consistently stepped in on recent price breaks, helping stabilize futures despite broader uncertainty. In the February contract, support has been noted near the 50-day moving average, with prices recently dipping below the $83 level before attracting buying interest earlier in the week.
This buying behavior suggests that end users and technical traders alike are willing to defend key support zones, particularly as supplies remain manageable and demand signals stay relatively steady.
Looking higher on the chart, additional technical targets are coming into view. The 200-day moving average currently sits above $85.40, an area that could act as the next level of resistance if the market continues to firm. Beyond that, there is a price gap from October above $86.42, which represents a longer-term upside objective should bullish momentum develop.
Reaching those levels would likely require supportive fundamentals, improved confidence following the quarterly report, or renewed buying interest after the holiday period. Until then, traders expect the market to remain rangebound, guided largely by technical signals rather than fresh fundamental news.
In the near term, the focus remains on the hogs and pigs report and how the market responds during what is expected to be a quiet trading environment. As the calendar turns toward the end of the year, attention will gradually shift to early 2026 supply expectations and demand trends, setting the tone for the next phase of the hog market.
Audio Reporting by Mark Oppold for Southeast AgNet.