8/5/15 was up +$0.45 and the model projects that the CME Lean Hog Index component will be up between +0.15 and +0.45. I believe we may be seeing some buying pressure from retailer filling their cases for the Labor Day holiday. And I wonder if it will hold until the QQQs expire next Friday. I think that there is a good chance that it will. I say that because the kill this week is running below expectations, the carcass weights are drifting lower and cutouts are gaining a little strength.

It just might be that hogs are finishing a bit more slowly in this hot weather so the supply of market ready hogs is such that packers' bids will need to stay firm to meet their needs.

Best wishes,

dhm