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 August 20th 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 & Nasdaq
The COT stock markets speculator bets were lower this week as two out of the seven stock markets we cover had higher positioning while the other five markets had lower speculator contracts.
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Leading the gains for the stock markets was the DowJones-Mini (5,491 contracts) with the Nasdaq-Mini (2,897 contracts) also showing positive weeks.
The markets with the declines in speculator bets this week were the S&P500-Mini (-61,352 contracts), the Russell-Mini (-13,871 contracts), the VIX (-4,330 contracts), the Nikkei 225 (-2,316 contracts) and with the MSCI EAFE-Mini (-461 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 VIX & 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 VIX (89 percent) and the DowJones-Mini (71 percent) lead the stock markets this week. The Russell-Mini (66 percent) and Nikkei 225 (60 percent) come in as the next highest in the weekly strength scores.
On the downside, the MSCI EAFE-Mini (27 percent) comes in at the lowest strength level currently.
Strength Statistics:
VIX (88.5 percent) vs VIX previous week (93.2 percent)
S&P500-Mini (52.1 percent) vs S&P500-Mini previous week (61.2 percent)
DowJones-Mini (71.2 percent) vs DowJones-Mini previous week (62.3 percent)
Nasdaq-Mini (56.8 percent) vs Nasdaq-Mini previous week (52.3 percent)
Russell2000-Mini (65.9 percent) vs Russell2000-Mini previous week (75.7 percent)
Nikkei USD (59.8 percent) vs Nikkei USD previous week (79.5 percent)
EAFE-Mini (27.4 percent) vs EAFE-Mini previous week (27.9 percent)
VIX & Russell-Mini top the 6-Week Strength Trends
COT Strength Score Trends (or move index, calculates the 6-week changes in strength scores) showed that the VIX (40 percent) leads the past six weeks trends for the stock markets. The Russell-Mini (29 percent), the Nikkei 225 (20 percent) and the Nasdaq-Mini (10 percent) are the next highest positive movers in the latest trends data.
The MSCI EAFE-Mini (-15 percent) leads the downside trend scores currently with the S&P500-Mini (-4 percent) coming in as the next market with lower trend scores.
Strength Trend Statistics:
VIX (39.9 percent) vs VIX previous week (35.9 percent)
S&P500-Mini (-4.4 percent) vs S&P500-Mini previous week (-1.7 percent)
DowJones-Mini (-1.7 percent) vs DowJones-Mini previous week (-8.9 percent)
Nasdaq-Mini (9.6 percent) vs Nasdaq-Mini previous week (-3.6 percent)
Russell2000-Mini (28.7 percent) vs Russell2000-Mini previous week (44.1 percent)
Nikkei USD (20.5 percent) vs Nikkei USD previous week (36.6 percent)
EAFE-Mini (-14.9 percent) vs EAFE-Mini previous week (-9.4 percent)
Individual Stock Market Charts:
VIX Volatility Futures:
The VIX Volatility large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of -24,592 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly lowering of -4,330 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -20,262 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 88.5 percent. The commercials are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 3.4 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 100.0 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.
| VIX Volatility Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 18.2 | 47.0 | 7.9 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 24.2 | 41.7 | 7.2 |
| – Net Position: | -24,592 | 21,531 | 3,061 |
| – Gross Longs: | 75,004 | 193,348 | 32,701 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 99,596 | 171,817 | 29,640 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 0.8 to 1 | 1.1 to 1 | 1.1 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 88.5 | 3.4 | 100.0 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bullish-Extreme | Bearish-Extreme | Bullish-Extreme |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 39.9 | -43.6 | 12.8 |
S&P500 Mini Futures:
The S&P500 Mini large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of -84,803 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly fall of -61,352 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -23,451 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 52.1 percent. The commercials are Bearish with a score of 39.3 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 74.1 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.
| S&P500 Mini Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 13.5 | 70.1 | 12.7 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 17.7 | 70.4 | 8.3 |
| – Net Position: | -84,803 | -4,339 | 89,142 |
| – Gross Longs: | 277,634 | 1,438,541 | 260,164 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 362,437 | 1,442,880 | 171,022 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 0.8 to 1 | 1.0 to 1 | 1.5 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 52.1 | 39.3 | 74.1 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bullish | Bearish | Bullish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | -4.4 | 5.3 | -3.6 |
Dow Jones Mini Futures:
The Dow Jones Mini large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of 6,728 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly advance of 5,491 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 1,237 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 71.2 percent. The commercials are Bearish with a score of 27.2 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 52.0 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.
| Dow Jones Mini Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 25.8 | 56.7 | 15.6 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 18.1 | 65.4 | 14.6 |
| – Net Position: | 6,728 | -7,610 | 882 |
| – Gross Longs: | 22,507 | 49,419 | 13,628 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 15,779 | 57,029 | 12,746 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 1.4 to 1 | 0.9 to 1 | 1.1 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 71.2 | 27.2 | 52.0 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bullish | Bearish | Bullish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | -1.7 | 5.0 | -12.5 |
Nasdaq Mini Futures:
The Nasdaq Mini large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of 11,381 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly boost of 2,897 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 8,484 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 56.8 percent. The commercials are Bearish with a score of 28.2 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 75.2 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.
| Nasdaq Mini Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 22.8 | 58.5 | 16.0 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 18.1 | 67.6 | 11.5 |
| – Net Position: | 11,381 | -22,205 | 10,824 |
| – Gross Longs: | 55,674 | 142,783 | 38,994 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 44,293 | 164,988 | 28,170 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 1.3 to 1 | 0.9 to 1 | 1.4 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 56.8 | 28.2 | 75.2 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bullish | Bearish | Bullish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 9.6 | -7.1 | 0.6 |
Russell 2000 Mini Futures:
The Russell 2000 Mini large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of -27,127 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly fall of -13,871 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -13,256 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 65.9 percent. The commercials are Bearish with a score of 29.5 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 73.0 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.
| Russell 2000 Mini Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 15.3 | 76.0 | 7.4 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 21.7 | 72.7 | 4.3 |
| – Net Position: | -27,127 | 14,057 | 13,070 |
| – Gross Longs: | 64,562 | 321,263 | 31,232 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 91,689 | 307,206 | 18,162 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 0.7 to 1 | 1.0 to 1 | 1.7 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 65.9 | 29.5 | 73.0 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bullish | Bearish | Bullish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 28.7 | -28.7 | 14.3 |
Nikkei Stock Average (USD) Futures:
The Nikkei Stock Average (USD) large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of -2,391 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly reduction of -2,316 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -75 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 59.8 percent. The commercials are Bearish with a score of 35.8 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 63.2 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: New Buy – Long Position.
| Nikkei Stock Average Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 15.8 | 60.0 | 24.2 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 32.3 | 50.7 | 17.0 |
| – Net Position: | -2,391 | 1,342 | 1,049 |
| – Gross Longs: | 2,295 | 8,711 | 3,523 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 4,686 | 7,369 | 2,474 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 0.5 to 1 | 1.2 to 1 | 1.4 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 59.8 | 35.8 | 63.2 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bullish | Bearish | Bullish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 20.5 | -13.1 | -10.0 |
MSCI EAFE Mini Futures:
The MSCI EAFE Mini large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of -38,563 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly decline of -461 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -38,102 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 27.4 percent. The commercials are Bullish with a score of 69.9 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 46.9 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: | 6.6 | 90.1 | 3.0 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 15.9 | 82.3 | 1.6 |
| – Net Position: | -38,563 | 32,556 | 6,007 |
| – Gross Longs: | 27,458 | 375,143 | 12,596 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 66,021 | 342,587 | 6,589 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 0.4 to 1 | 1.1 to 1 | 1.9 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 27.4 | 69.9 | 46.9 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bearish | Bullish | Bearish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | -14.9 | 13.5 | 4.8 |
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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