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 April 30th 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 Wheat, Soybean Meal & Corn
The COT soft commodities markets speculator bets were overall lower this week as only three out of the eleven softs markets we cover had higher positioning while the other eight markets had lower speculator contracts.
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Leading the gains for the softs markets was Wheat (18,935 contracts) with Soybean Meal (17,676 contracts) and Corn (16,744 contracts) also having positive weeks.
The markets with the declines in speculator bets this week were Soybean Oil (-25,101 contracts), Cotton (-9,637 contracts), Soybeans (-7,773 contracts), Sugar (-4,796 contracts), Lean Hogs (-4,678 contracts), Live Cattle (-3,750 contracts), Coffee (-3,324 contracts) and with Cocoa (-2,432 contracts) also recording 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 & Lean Hogs
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 (93 percent) and Lean Hogs (72 percent) lead the softs markets this week. Wheat (51 percent) comes in as the next highest in the weekly strength scores.
On the downside, Soybean Oil (0 percent), Sugar (5 percent), Soybeans (8 percent) and the Corn (16 percent) come in at the lowest strength levels currently and are in Extreme-Bearish territory (below 20 percent).
Strength Statistics:
Corn (15.6 percent) vs Corn previous week (13.5 percent)
Sugar (5.2 percent) vs Sugar previous week (6.9 percent)
Coffee (92.7 percent) vs Coffee previous week (96.0 percent)
Soybeans (7.9 percent) vs Soybeans previous week (9.6 percent)
Soybean Oil (0.0 percent) vs Soybean Oil previous week (15.4 percent)
Soybean Meal (40.6 percent) vs Soybean Meal previous week (33.3 percent)
Live Cattle (26.2 percent) vs Live Cattle previous week (30.2 percent)
Lean Hogs (72.3 percent) vs Lean Hogs previous week (76.2 percent)
Cotton (23.2 percent) vs Cotton previous week (30.4 percent)
Cocoa (37.7 percent) vs Cocoa previous week (40.1 percent)
Wheat (50.5 percent) vs Wheat previous week (37.4 percent)
Soybean Meal & Wheat top the 6-Week Strength Trends
COT Strength Score Trends (or move index, calculates the 6-week changes in strength scores) showed that Soybean Meal (32 percent) and Wheat (22 percent) lead the past six weeks trends for soft commodities. Coffee (18 percent), Lean Hogs (15 percent) and Corn (4 percent) are the next highest positive movers in the latest trends data.
Cotton (-55 percent) leads the downside trend scores currently with Live Cattle (-32 percent) and Soybean Oil (-22 percent) following next with lower trend scores.
Strength Trend Statistics:
Corn (4.1 percent) vs Corn previous week (3.7 percent)
Sugar (-18.5 percent) vs Sugar previous week (-14.4 percent)
Coffee (17.9 percent) vs Coffee previous week (15.1 percent)
Soybeans (1.2 percent) vs Soybeans previous week (5.8 percent)
Soybean Oil (-22.2 percent) vs Soybean Oil previous week (0.7 percent)
Soybean Meal (31.9 percent) vs Soybean Meal previous week (29.3 percent)
Live Cattle (-32.3 percent) vs Live Cattle previous week (-27.3 percent)
Lean Hogs (15.0 percent) vs Lean Hogs previous week (20.2 percent)
Cotton (-54.5 percent) vs Cotton previous week (-51.7 percent)
Cocoa (-18.8 percent) vs Cocoa previous week (-16.5 percent)
Wheat (21.9 percent) vs Wheat previous week (7.2 percent)
Individual Soft Commodities Markets:
CORN Futures:
The CORN large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of -143,424 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly rise of 16,744 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -160,168 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 15.6 percent. The commercials are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 83.4 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 89.4 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.
| CORN Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 20.0 | 44.0 | 9.8 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 30.1 | 32.9 | 10.7 |
| – Net Position: | -143,424 | 157,105 | -13,681 |
| – Gross Longs: | 284,015 | 624,235 | 138,688 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 427,439 | 467,130 | 152,369 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 0.7 to 1 | 1.3 to 1 | 0.9 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 15.6 | 83.4 | 89.4 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bearish-Extreme | Bullish-Extreme | Bullish-Extreme |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 4.1 | -3.5 | -7.6 |
SUGAR Futures:
The SUGAR large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of 40,305 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly reduction of -4,796 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 45,101 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 5.2 percent. The commercials are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 100.0 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 2.3 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.
| SUGAR Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 23.9 | 55.2 | 7.6 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 19.1 | 58.8 | 8.9 |
| – Net Position: | 40,305 | -29,820 | -10,485 |
| – Gross Longs: | 199,571 | 460,096 | 63,606 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 159,266 | 489,916 | 74,091 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 1.3 to 1 | 0.9 to 1 | 0.9 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 5.2 | 100.0 | 2.3 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bearish-Extreme | Bullish-Extreme | Bearish-Extreme |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | -18.5 | 20.8 | -21.8 |
COFFEE Futures:
The COFFEE large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of 68,590 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly decrease of -3,324 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 71,914 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-Extreme with a score of 92.7 percent. The commercials are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 6.5 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 62.3 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.
| COFFEE Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 39.5 | 34.8 | 3.5 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 10.4 | 65.4 | 2.0 |
| – Net Position: | 68,590 | -72,156 | 3,566 |
| – Gross Longs: | 93,006 | 81,941 | 8,361 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 24,416 | 154,097 | 4,795 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 3.8 to 1 | 0.5 to 1 | 1.7 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 92.7 | 6.5 | 62.3 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bullish-Extreme | Bearish-Extreme | Bullish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 17.9 | -20.0 | 29.9 |
SOYBEANS Futures:
The SOYBEANS large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of -162,343 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly fall of -7,773 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -154,570 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 7.9 percent. The commercials are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 91.4 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 93.6 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.
| SOYBEANS Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 12.7 | 61.9 | 7.2 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 35.2 | 38.6 | 8.1 |
| – Net Position: | -162,343 | 168,676 | -6,333 |
| – Gross Longs: | 92,100 | 447,805 | 52,018 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 254,443 | 279,129 | 58,351 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 0.4 to 1 | 1.6 to 1 | 0.9 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 7.9 | 91.4 | 93.6 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bearish-Extreme | Bullish-Extreme | Bullish-Extreme |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 1.2 | -2.7 | 17.4 |
SOYBEAN OIL Futures:
The SOYBEAN OIL large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of -56,442 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly decline of -25,101 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -31,341 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 0.0 percent. The commercials are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 100.0 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 18.3 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.
| SOYBEAN OIL Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 19.9 | 52.7 | 5.7 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 30.1 | 42.7 | 5.5 |
| – Net Position: | -56,442 | 55,356 | 1,086 |
| – Gross Longs: | 109,597 | 290,371 | 31,192 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 166,039 | 235,015 | 30,106 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 0.7 to 1 | 1.2 to 1 | 1.0 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 0.0 | 100.0 | 18.3 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bearish-Extreme | Bullish-Extreme | Bearish-Extreme |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | -22.2 | 21.3 | -10.6 |
SOYBEAN MEAL Futures:
The SOYBEAN MEAL large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of 32,119 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly lift of 17,676 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 14,443 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 40.6 percent. The commercials are Bullish with a score of 58.3 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 32.1 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 MEAL Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 29.6 | 43.4 | 9.7 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 22.3 | 54.5 | 5.9 |
| – Net Position: | 32,119 | -49,108 | 16,989 |
| – Gross Longs: | 130,740 | 191,673 | 43,016 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 98,621 | 240,781 | 26,027 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 1.3 to 1 | 0.8 to 1 | 1.7 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 40.6 | 58.3 | 32.1 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bearish | Bullish | Bearish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 31.9 | -31.5 | 7.5 |
LIVE CATTLE Futures:
The LIVE CATTLE large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of 43,803 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly decrease of -3,750 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 47,553 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 26.2 percent. The commercials are Bullish with a score of 76.2 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 59.3 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.
| LIVE CATTLE Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 36.1 | 35.4 | 9.5 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 20.2 | 49.2 | 11.6 |
| – Net Position: | 43,803 | -38,088 | -5,715 |
| – Gross Longs: | 99,665 | 97,729 | 26,257 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 55,862 | 135,817 | 31,972 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 1.8 to 1 | 0.7 to 1 | 0.8 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 26.2 | 76.2 | 59.3 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bearish | Bullish | Bullish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | -32.3 | 33.8 | 12.2 |
LEAN HOGS Futures:
The LEAN HOGS large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of 51,938 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly fall of -4,678 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 56,616 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 72.3 percent. The commercials are Bearish with a score of 29.6 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 44.4 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: | 38.9 | 34.1 | 7.5 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 21.6 | 48.6 | 10.4 |
| – Net Position: | 51,938 | -43,257 | -8,681 |
| – Gross Longs: | 116,668 | 102,259 | 22,574 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 64,730 | 145,516 | 31,255 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 1.8 to 1 | 0.7 to 1 | 0.7 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 72.3 | 29.6 | 44.4 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bullish | Bearish | Bearish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 15.0 | -12.8 | -18.7 |
COTTON Futures:
The COTTON large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of 19,222 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly lowering of -9,637 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 28,859 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 23.2 percent. The commercials are Bullish with a score of 77.6 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 13.7 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.
| COTTON Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 34.7 | 43.6 | 6.3 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 25.3 | 52.8 | 6.5 |
| – Net Position: | 19,222 | -18,831 | -391 |
| – Gross Longs: | 71,065 | 89,336 | 12,824 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 51,843 | 108,167 | 13,215 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 1.4 to 1 | 0.8 to 1 | 1.0 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 23.2 | 77.6 | 13.7 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bearish | Bullish | Bearish-Extreme |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | -54.5 | 55.4 | -56.9 |
COCOA Futures:
The COCOA large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of 27,152 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly lowering of -2,432 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 29,584 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 37.7 percent. The commercials are Bullish with a score of 59.8 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 54.5 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.
| COCOA Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 30.9 | 33.6 | 7.4 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 13.0 | 54.8 | 4.1 |
| – Net Position: | 27,152 | -32,122 | 4,970 |
| – Gross Longs: | 46,931 | 51,146 | 11,182 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 19,779 | 83,268 | 6,212 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 2.4 to 1 | 0.6 to 1 | 1.8 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 37.7 | 59.8 | 54.5 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bearish | Bullish | Bullish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | -18.8 | 19.3 | -6.2 |
WHEAT Futures:
The WHEAT large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of -24,456 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly gain of 18,935 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -43,391 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 50.5 percent. The commercials are Bullish with a score of 51.0 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 30.9 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.
| WHEAT Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 33.3 | 36.6 | 7.3 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 40.1 | 27.6 | 9.6 |
| – Net Position: | -24,456 | 32,562 | -8,106 |
| – Gross Longs: | 120,889 | 132,764 | 26,535 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 145,345 | 100,202 | 34,641 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 0.8 to 1 | 1.3 to 1 | 0.8 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 50.5 | 51.0 | 30.9 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bullish | Bullish | Bearish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 21.9 | -18.8 | -27.2 |
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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