By InvestMacro
Here are the latest charts and statistics for the Commitment of Traders (COT) reports data published by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
The latest COT data is updated through Tuesday March 19th and shows a quick view of how large traders (for-profit speculators and commercial entities) were positioned in the futures markets.
Weekly Speculator Changes led by Corn & Soybeans
The COT soft commodities markets speculator bets were higher this week as seven out of the eleven softs markets we cover had higher positioning while the other four markets had lower speculator contracts.
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Leading the gains for the softs markets was Corn (13,517 contracts) with Soybeans (12,760 contracts), Soybean Oil (12,316 contracts), Soybean Meal (11,182 contracts), Sugar (6,360 contracts), Lean Hogs (1,606 contracts) and Live Cattle (925 contracts) also recording positive weeks.
The markets with the declines in speculator bets this week were Coffee (-6,266 contracts), Cotton (-5,881 contracts), Wheat (-2,291 contracts) and Cocoa (-190 contracts) with lower bets on the week.
Soft Commodities Net Speculators Leaderboard
Legend: Weekly Speculators Change | Speculators Current Net Position | Speculators Strength Score compared to last 3-Years (0-100 range)
Strength Scores led by Coffee & Cotton
COT Strength Scores (a normalized measure of Speculator positions over a 3-Year range, from 0 to 100 where above 80 is Extreme-Bullish and below 20 is Extreme-Bearish) showed that Coffee (79 percent) and Cotton (78 percent) lead the softs markets this week. Live Cattle (58 percent), Lean Hogs (57 percent) and Cocoa (56 percent) come in as the next highest in the weekly strength scores.
On the downside, Soybeans (7 percent) and Soybean Meal (9 percent) come in at the lowest strength levels currently and are in Extreme-Bearish territory (below 20 percent). The next lowest strength scores are the Corn (11 percent) and the Soybean Oil (18 percent).
Strength Statistics:
Corn (11.2 percent) vs Corn previous week (9.5 percent)
Sugar (23.6 percent) vs Sugar previous week (21.3 percent)
Coffee (78.9 percent) vs Coffee previous week (85.3 percent)
Soybeans (6.6 percent) vs Soybeans previous week (3.8 percent)
Soybean Oil (18.4 percent) vs Soybean Oil previous week (10.5 percent)
Soybean Meal (8.7 percent) vs Soybean Meal previous week (4.1 percent)
Live Cattle (58.5 percent) vs Live Cattle previous week (57.5 percent)
Lean Hogs (57.3 percent) vs Lean Hogs previous week (56.0 percent)
Cotton (77.7 percent) vs Cotton previous week (82.1 percent)
Cocoa (56.5 percent) vs Cocoa previous week (56.7 percent)
Wheat (28.6 percent) vs Wheat previous week (30.2 percent)
Live Cattle & Lean Hogs top the 6-Week Strength Trends
COT Strength Score Trends (or move index, calculates the 6-week changes in strength scores) showed that Live Cattle (27 percent) and Lean Hogs (27 percent) lead the past six weeks trends for soft commodities. Cotton (24 percent), Soybean Oil (9 percent) and Corn (7 percent) are the next highest positive movers in the latest trends data.
Cocoa (-13 percent) leads the downside trend scores currently with Wheat (-12 percent), Soybean Meal (-5 percent) and Coffee (-5 percent) following next with lower trend scores.
Strength Trend Statistics:
Corn (6.7 percent) vs Corn previous week (4.4 percent)
Sugar (3.9 percent) vs Sugar previous week (4.1 percent)
Coffee (-4.9 percent) vs Coffee previous week (0.3 percent)
Soybeans (-1.5 percent) vs Soybeans previous week (-8.9 percent)
Soybean Oil (9.2 percent) vs Soybean Oil previous week (3.5 percent)
Soybean Meal (-4.8 percent) vs Soybean Meal previous week (-9.4 percent)
Live Cattle (26.6 percent) vs Live Cattle previous week (38.4 percent)
Lean Hogs (27.5 percent) vs Lean Hogs previous week (34.4 percent)
Cotton (23.9 percent) vs Cotton previous week (41.6 percent)
Cocoa (-12.8 percent) vs Cocoa previous week (-26.4 percent)
Wheat (-12.3 percent) vs Wheat previous week (-12.0 percent)
Individual Soft Commodities Markets:
CORN Futures:
The CORN large speculator standing this week resulted in a net position of -175,513 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly advance of 13,517 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -189,030 net contracts.
This week’s current strength score (the trader positioning range over the past three years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish-Extreme with a score of 11.2 percent. The commercials are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 87.3 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 100.0 percent.
Price Trend-Following Model: Downtrend
Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Downtrend. The current action for the model is considered to be: Hold – Maintain Short Position.
| CORN Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 18.8 | 43.6 | 10.0 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 30.0 | 31.9 | 10.5 |
| – Net Position: | -175,513 | 183,490 | -7,977 |
| – Gross Longs: | 294,129 | 683,677 | 156,429 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 469,642 | 500,187 | 164,406 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 0.6 to 1 | 1.4 to 1 | 1.0 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 11.2 | 87.3 | 100.0 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bearish-Extreme | Bullish-Extreme | Bullish-Extreme |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 6.7 | -7.8 | 9.0 |
SUGAR Futures:
The SUGAR large speculator standing this week resulted in a net position of 91,323 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly lift of 6,360 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 84,963 net contracts.
This week’s current strength score (the trader positioning range over the past three years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish with a score of 23.6 percent. The commercials are Bullish with a score of 79.4 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 11.9 percent.
Price Trend-Following Model: Downtrend
Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Downtrend. The current action for the model is considered to be: Hold – Maintain Short Position.
| SUGAR Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 21.5 | 52.7 | 8.3 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 10.5 | 64.4 | 7.5 |
| – Net Position: | 91,323 | -97,873 | 6,550 |
| – Gross Longs: | 179,189 | 439,456 | 69,342 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 87,866 | 537,329 | 62,792 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 2.0 to 1 | 0.8 to 1 | 1.1 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 23.6 | 79.4 | 11.9 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bearish | Bullish | Bearish-Extreme |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 3.9 | 0.7 | -19.6 |
COFFEE Futures:
The COFFEE large speculator standing this week resulted in a net position of 50,165 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly decrease of -6,266 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 56,431 net contracts.
This week’s current strength score (the trader positioning range over the past three years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish with a score of 78.9 percent. The commercials are Bearish with a score of 24.7 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 32.4 percent.
Price Trend-Following Model: Weak Uptrend
Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Weak Uptrend. The current action for the model is considered to be: Hold – Maintain Long Position.
| COFFEE Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 33.8 | 39.8 | 3.6 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 10.8 | 63.3 | 3.0 |
| – Net Position: | 50,165 | -51,523 | 1,358 |
| – Gross Longs: | 73,789 | 86,913 | 7,862 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 23,624 | 138,436 | 6,504 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 3.1 to 1 | 0.6 to 1 | 1.2 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 78.9 | 24.7 | 32.4 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bullish | Bearish | Bearish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | -4.9 | 4.9 | -1.1 |
SOYBEANS Futures:
The SOYBEANS large speculator standing this week resulted in a net position of -167,653 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly advance of 12,760 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -180,413 net contracts.
This week’s current strength score (the trader positioning range over the past three years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish-Extreme with a score of 6.6 percent. The commercials are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 94.2 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 73.2 percent.
Price Trend-Following Model: Downtrend
Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Downtrend. The current action for the model is considered to be: Hold – Maintain Short Position.
| SOYBEANS Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 12.6 | 61.4 | 6.7 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 34.3 | 38.0 | 8.4 |
| – Net Position: | -167,653 | 180,816 | -13,163 |
| – Gross Longs: | 97,583 | 474,988 | 52,094 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 265,236 | 294,172 | 65,257 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 0.4 to 1 | 1.6 to 1 | 0.8 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 6.6 | 94.2 | 73.2 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bearish-Extreme | Bullish-Extreme | Bullish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | -1.5 | 2.0 | -5.0 |
SOYBEAN OIL Futures:
The SOYBEAN OIL large speculator standing this week resulted in a net position of -20,206 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly advance of 12,316 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -32,522 net contracts.
This week’s current strength score (the trader positioning range over the past three years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish-Extreme with a score of 18.4 percent. The commercials are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 81.4 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 28.9 percent.
Price Trend-Following Model: Weak Downtrend
Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Weak Downtrend. The current action for the model is considered to be: Hold – Maintain Short Position.
| SOYBEAN OIL Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 19.2 | 46.6 | 5.0 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 22.8 | 43.7 | 4.3 |
| – Net Position: | -20,206 | 16,387 | 3,819 |
| – Gross Longs: | 108,981 | 264,146 | 28,339 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 129,187 | 247,759 | 24,520 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 0.8 to 1 | 1.1 to 1 | 1.2 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 18.4 | 81.4 | 28.9 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bearish-Extreme | Bullish-Extreme | Bearish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 9.2 | -9.3 | 7.7 |
SOYBEAN MEAL Futures:
The SOYBEAN MEAL large speculator standing this week resulted in a net position of -45,705 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly increase of 11,182 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -56,887 net contracts.
This week’s current strength score (the trader positioning range over the past three years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish-Extreme with a score of 8.7 percent. The commercials are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 89.8 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 24.6 percent.
Price Trend-Following Model: Downtrend
Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Downtrend. The current action for the model is considered to be: Hold – Maintain Short Position.
| SOYBEAN MEAL Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 19.2 | 48.8 | 9.8 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 28.9 | 42.4 | 6.5 |
| – Net Position: | -45,705 | 30,378 | 15,327 |
| – Gross Longs: | 90,991 | 230,591 | 46,201 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 136,696 | 200,213 | 30,874 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 0.7 to 1 | 1.2 to 1 | 1.5 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 8.7 | 89.8 | 24.6 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bearish-Extreme | Bullish-Extreme | Bearish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | -4.8 | 5.7 | -11.7 |
LIVE CATTLE Futures:
The LIVE CATTLE large speculator standing this week resulted in a net position of 73,770 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly rise of 925 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 72,845 net contracts.
This week’s current strength score (the trader positioning range over the past three years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish with a score of 58.5 percent. The commercials are Bearish with a score of 42.4 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 47.1 percent.
Price Trend-Following Model: Strong Uptrend
Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Strong Uptrend. The current action for the model is considered to be: Hold – Maintain Long Position.
| LIVE CATTLE Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 39.0 | 31.9 | 9.8 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 16.0 | 52.5 | 12.3 |
| – Net Position: | 73,770 | -65,773 | -7,997 |
| – Gross Longs: | 124,765 | 102,081 | 31,407 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 50,995 | 167,854 | 39,404 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 2.4 to 1 | 0.6 to 1 | 0.8 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 58.5 | 42.4 | 47.1 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bullish | Bearish | Bearish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 26.6 | -26.6 | -15.0 |
LEAN HOGS Futures:
The LEAN HOGS large speculator standing this week resulted in a net position of 33,622 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly increase of 1,606 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 32,016 net contracts.
This week’s current strength score (the trader positioning range over the past three years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish with a score of 57.3 percent. The commercials are Bearish with a score of 44.0 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 63.2 percent.
Price Trend-Following Model: Uptrend
Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Uptrend. The current action for the model is considered to be: Hold – Maintain Long Position.
| LEAN HOGS Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 35.1 | 36.8 | 8.2 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 22.3 | 47.9 | 9.9 |
| – Net Position: | 33,622 | -29,122 | -4,500 |
| – Gross Longs: | 92,556 | 97,267 | 21,740 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 58,934 | 126,389 | 26,240 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 1.6 to 1 | 0.8 to 1 | 0.8 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 57.3 | 44.0 | 63.2 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bullish | Bearish | Bullish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 27.5 | -31.2 | 8.9 |
COTTON Futures:
The COTTON large speculator standing this week resulted in a net position of 91,632 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly fall of -5,881 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 97,513 net contracts.
This week’s current strength score (the trader positioning range over the past three years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish with a score of 77.7 percent. The commercials are Bearish with a score of 22.1 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 70.5 percent.
Price Trend-Following Model: Uptrend
Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Uptrend. The current action for the model is considered to be: Hold – Maintain Long Position.
| COTTON Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 45.7 | 33.5 | 6.6 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 12.6 | 69.9 | 3.4 |
| – Net Position: | 91,632 | -100,621 | 8,989 |
| – Gross Longs: | 126,335 | 92,568 | 18,265 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 34,703 | 193,189 | 9,276 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 3.6 to 1 | 0.5 to 1 | 2.0 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 77.7 | 22.1 | 70.5 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bullish | Bearish | Bullish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 23.9 | -23.2 | 14.6 |
COCOA Futures:
The COCOA large speculator standing this week resulted in a net position of 45,582 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly reduction of -190 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 45,772 net contracts.
This week’s current strength score (the trader positioning range over the past three years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish with a score of 56.5 percent. The commercials are Bearish with a score of 40.6 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 60.7 percent.
Price Trend-Following Model: Strong Uptrend
Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Strong Uptrend. The current action for the model is considered to be: Hold – Maintain Long Position.
| COCOA Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 35.3 | 30.5 | 6.5 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 13.3 | 55.2 | 3.8 |
| – Net Position: | 45,582 | -51,282 | 5,700 |
| – Gross Longs: | 73,188 | 63,093 | 13,493 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 27,606 | 114,375 | 7,793 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 2.7 to 1 | 0.6 to 1 | 1.7 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 56.5 | 40.6 | 60.7 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bullish | Bearish | Bullish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | -12.8 | 12.1 | 4.1 |
WHEAT Futures:
The WHEAT large speculator standing this week resulted in a net position of -56,060 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly fall of -2,291 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -53,769 net contracts.
This week’s current strength score (the trader positioning range over the past three years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish with a score of 28.6 percent. The commercials are Bullish with a score of 69.8 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 58.1 percent.
Price Trend-Following Model: Strong Downtrend
Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Strong Downtrend. The current action for the model is considered to be: Hold – Maintain Short Position.
| WHEAT Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 29.3 | 36.0 | 8.0 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 43.1 | 21.8 | 8.4 |
| – Net Position: | -56,060 | 57,895 | -1,835 |
| – Gross Longs: | 119,628 | 146,951 | 32,432 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 175,688 | 89,056 | 34,267 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 0.7 to 1 | 1.7 to 1 | 0.9 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 28.6 | 69.8 | 58.1 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bearish | Bullish | Bullish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | -12.3 | 10.9 | 13.3 |
Article By InvestMacro – Receive our weekly COT Newsletter
*COT Report: The COT data, released weekly to the public each Friday, is updated through the most recent Tuesday (data is 3 days old) and shows a quick view of how large speculators or non-commercials (for-profit traders) were positioned in the futures markets.
The CFTC categorizes trader positions according to commercial hedgers (traders who use futures contracts for hedging as part of the business), non-commercials (large traders who speculate to realize trading profits) and nonreportable traders (usually small traders/speculators) as well as their open interest (contracts open in the market at time of reporting). See CFTC criteria here.
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