US cocoa futures crept up Thursday for the third consecutive session, with the bulk of interest focused on contract switching and options on the front-month contract a day ahead of expiration, traders said.

The New York Board of Trade's active December cocoa contract rose $7, or 0.5 percent, to settle at $1,376 a tonne, after trading from $1,366 to $1,380. It was the December contract's best close since October 28.

Among other cocoa contracts, March climbed $5 to end at $1,414, and longer-dated futures advanced $4 to $5. The December/March spread narrowed by 2 points to 38, after ranging from 33 to 43.

Copyright Reuters, 2005