By InvestMacro
Here are the latest charts and statistics for the Commitment of Traders (COT) data published by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
The latest COT data is updated through Tuesday May 14th 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 DowJones-Mini & Russell-Mini
The COT stock markets speculator bets were slightly lower this week as three out of the seven stock markets we cover had higher positioning while the other four markets had lower speculator contracts.
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Leading the gains for the stock markets was the DowJones-Mini (7,109 contracts) with the Russell-Mini (5,933 contracts) and the Nikkei 225 (651 contracts) also showing positive weeks.
The markets with the declines in speculator bets this week were the S&P500-Mini (-15,589 contracts), the MSCI EAFE-Mini (-13,427 contracts), the VIX (-9,182 contracts) and with the Nasdaq-Mini (-1,235 contracts) also registering lower bets on the week.
Stock Market 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 DowJones-Mini
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 the DowJones-Mini (86 percent) leads the stock markets this week. The VIX (63 percent) and Russell-Mini (62 percent) come in as the next highest in the weekly strength scores.
On the downside, the MSCI EAFE-Mini (38 percent) comes in at the lowest strength level currently.
Strength Statistics:
VIX (63.1 percent) vs VIX previous week (73.0 percent)
S&P500-Mini (61.0 percent) vs S&P500-Mini previous week (63.3 percent)
DowJones-Mini (86.0 percent) vs DowJones-Mini previous week (74.4 percent)
Nasdaq-Mini (44.1 percent) vs Nasdaq-Mini previous week (46.0 percent)
Russell2000-Mini (62.3 percent) vs Russell2000-Mini previous week (58.1 percent)
Nikkei USD (56.7 percent) vs Nikkei USD previous week (51.1 percent)
EAFE-Mini (38.0 percent) vs EAFE-Mini previous week (51.9 percent)
Nasdaq-Mini tops the 6-Week Strength Trends
COT Strength Score Trends (or move index, calculates the 6-week changes in strength scores) showed that the Nasdaq-Mini (13 percent) and the S&P500-Mini (8 percent) lead the past six weeks trends for the stock markets.
The MSCI EAFE-Mini (-20 percent) leads the downside trend scores currently with the Russell-Mini (-7 percent) coming in as the next market with lower trend scores.
Strength Trend Statistics:
VIX (2.5 percent) vs VIX previous week (5.4 percent)
S&P500-Mini (7.9 percent) vs S&P500-Mini previous week (23.8 percent)
DowJones-Mini (-1.3 percent) vs DowJones-Mini previous week (-18.5 percent)
Nasdaq-Mini (13.0 percent) vs Nasdaq-Mini previous week (17.9 percent)
Russell2000-Mini (-7.0 percent) vs Russell2000-Mini previous week (-11.7 percent)
Nikkei USD (-2.1 percent) vs Nikkei USD previous week (-7.0 percent)
EAFE-Mini (-19.7 percent) vs EAFE-Mini previous week (-6.3 percent)
Individual Stock Market Charts:
VIX Volatility Futures:
The VIX Volatility large speculator standing this week equaled a net position of -48,061 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly fall of -9,182 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -38,879 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 63.1 percent. The commercials are Bearish with a score of 32.1 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 97.3 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.
| VIX Volatility Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 22.2 | 41.5 | 6.9 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 33.2 | 30.5 | 6.9 |
| – Net Position: | -48,061 | 47,902 | 159 |
| – Gross Longs: | 96,769 | 180,775 | 30,036 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 144,830 | 132,873 | 29,877 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 0.7 to 1 | 1.4 to 1 | 1.0 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 63.1 | 32.1 | 97.3 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bullish | Bearish | Bullish-Extreme |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 2.5 | -6.2 | 17.3 |
S&P500 Mini Futures:
The S&P500 Mini large speculator standing this week equaled a net position of -25,284 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly fall of -15,589 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -9,695 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 61.0 percent. The commercials are Bearish with a score of 29.8 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 76.2 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.
| S&P500 Mini Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 13.1 | 71.0 | 13.4 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 14.4 | 74.5 | 8.6 |
| – Net Position: | -25,284 | -73,047 | 98,331 |
| – Gross Longs: | 273,398 | 1,477,881 | 278,004 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 298,682 | 1,550,928 | 179,673 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 0.9 to 1 | 1.0 to 1 | 1.5 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 61.0 | 29.8 | 76.2 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bullish | Bearish | Bullish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 7.9 | -7.2 | -0.2 |
Dow Jones Mini Futures:
The Dow Jones Mini large speculator standing this week equaled a net position of 15,773 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly rise of 7,109 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 8,664 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 86.0 percent. The commercials are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 10.4 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 60.5 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.
| Dow Jones Mini Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 24.9 | 57.5 | 14.9 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 9.0 | 76.8 | 11.5 |
| – Net Position: | 15,773 | -19,177 | 3,404 |
| – Gross Longs: | 24,739 | 57,006 | 14,802 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 8,966 | 76,183 | 11,398 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 2.8 to 1 | 0.7 to 1 | 1.3 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 86.0 | 10.4 | 60.5 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bullish-Extreme | Bearish-Extreme | Bullish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | -1.3 | 0.9 | 0.9 |
Nasdaq Mini Futures:
The Nasdaq Mini large speculator standing this week equaled a net position of 3,170 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly lowering of -1,235 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 4,405 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 44.1 percent. The commercials are Bearish with a score of 40.4 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 89.1 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.
| Nasdaq Mini Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 27.7 | 53.7 | 16.5 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 26.4 | 58.2 | 13.3 |
| – Net Position: | 3,170 | -11,068 | 7,898 |
| – Gross Longs: | 68,869 | 133,543 | 41,056 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 65,699 | 144,611 | 33,158 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 1.0 to 1 | 0.9 to 1 | 1.2 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 44.1 | 40.4 | 89.1 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bearish | Bearish | Bullish-Extreme |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 13.0 | -10.4 | 2.8 |
Russell 2000 Mini Futures:
The Russell 2000 Mini large speculator standing this week equaled a net position of -32,067 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly advance of 5,933 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -38,000 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 62.3 percent. The commercials are Bearish with a score of 35.5 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 58.4 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.
| Russell 2000 Mini Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 17.6 | 73.7 | 6.3 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 24.5 | 68.7 | 4.4 |
| – Net Position: | -32,067 | 23,332 | 8,735 |
| – Gross Longs: | 82,124 | 343,687 | 29,283 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 114,191 | 320,355 | 20,548 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 0.7 to 1 | 1.1 to 1 | 1.4 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 62.3 | 35.5 | 58.4 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bullish | Bearish | Bullish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | -7.0 | 7.4 | -5.7 |
Nikkei Stock Average (USD) Futures:
The Nikkei Stock Average (USD) large speculator standing this week equaled a net position of -2,756 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly gain of 651 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -3,407 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 56.7 percent. The commercials are Bearish with a score of 39.1 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 60.0 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.
| Nikkei Stock Average Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 11.3 | 65.5 | 23.2 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 28.7 | 57.0 | 14.3 |
| – Net Position: | -2,756 | 1,346 | 1,410 |
| – Gross Longs: | 1,798 | 10,397 | 3,674 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 4,554 | 9,051 | 2,264 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 0.4 to 1 | 1.1 to 1 | 1.6 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 56.7 | 39.1 | 60.0 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bullish | Bearish | Bullish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | -2.1 | 7.1 | -13.4 |
MSCI EAFE Mini Futures:
The MSCI EAFE Mini large speculator standing this week equaled a net position of -27,423 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly lowering of -13,427 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -13,996 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 38.0 percent. The commercials are Bullish with a score of 58.8 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 48.0 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.
| MSCI EAFE Mini Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 5.9 | 90.8 | 2.9 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 12.5 | 85.8 | 1.4 |
| – Net Position: | -27,423 | 21,201 | 6,222 |
| – Gross Longs: | 24,475 | 378,438 | 12,043 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 51,898 | 357,237 | 5,821 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 0.5 to 1 | 1.1 to 1 | 2.1 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 38.0 | 58.8 | 48.0 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bearish | Bullish | Bearish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | -19.7 | 19.3 | 0.7 |
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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