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Cotton Was 2017’s Star Crop, and Funds Have High Hopes for 2018

  • Fiber is year’s biggest winner for Bloomberg crop index
  • Combined corn, soy, wheat wagers are most negative ever
Workers cast shadows onto cotton loaded on a truck at a market in Gujarat, India.
Photographer: Bloomberg Creative Photos
Updated on

The longest winning streak in two decades propelled cotton to 2017’s biggest increase among crop commodities, and hedge funds are ready for more gains in 2018.

Of the nine components tracked by the Bloomberg Agriculture Subindex, only cotton and wheat contracts posted gains last year. The fiber lead the way with an 11 percent advance as demand grew for U.S. exports. Prices capped 2017 with 10 straight weekly gains, the best streak since 1998.