COT Bonds Charts: Speculator Bets led lower by 5-Year & 10-Year Bonds

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 November 19th and shows a quick view of how large traders (for-profit speculators and commercial hedgers) were positioned in the futures markets.

Weekly Speculator Changes led lower by 5-Year & 10-Year Bonds

The COT bond market speculator bets were overall lower this week as just three out of the nine bond markets we cover had higher positioning while the other six markets had lower speculator contracts.

Leading the gains for the bond markets was the Ultra Treasury Bonds (15,980 contracts) with the US Treasury Bonds (6,123 contracts) and the SOFR 1-Month (4,701 contracts) also seeing small positive weeks.

The bond markets with declines in speculator bets for the week were the 5-Year Bonds (-113,816 contracts), the 10-Year Bonds (-91,701 contracts), the SOFR 3-Months (-61,073 contracts), the Fed Funds (-57,577 contracts), the 2-Year Bonds (-23,473 contracts) and with the Ultra 10-Year Bonds (-14,477 contracts) also recording lower bets on the week.

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Bonds Net Speculators Leaderboard

Legend: Weekly Speculators Change | Speculators Current Net Position | Speculators Strength Score compared to last 3-Years (0-100 range)

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Strength Scores led by Ultra Treasury Bonds & US Treasury Bonds

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 Ultra Treasury Bonds (100 percent) and the US Treasury Bonds (71 percent) lead the bond markets this week.

On the downside, the 5-Year Bonds (0 percent) and the 2-Year Bonds (2 percent) come in at the lowest strength level currently and are in Extreme-Bearish territory (below 20 percent). The next lowest strength scores were the 10-Year Bonds (22 percent), the Ultra 10-Year Bonds (27 percent) and the SOFR 1-Month (36 percent).

Strength Statistics:
Fed Funds (44.4 percent) vs Fed Funds previous week (55.1 percent)
2-Year Bond (2.5 percent) vs 2-Year Bond previous week (4.0 percent)
5-Year Bond (0.0 percent) vs 5-Year Bond previous week (6.1 percent)
10-Year Bond (22.3 percent) vs 10-Year Bond previous week (31.0 percent)
Ultra 10-Year Bond (27.2 percent) vs Ultra 10-Year Bond previous week (30.9 percent)
US Treasury Bond (71.1 percent) vs US Treasury Bond previous week (68.9 percent)
Ultra US Treasury Bond (100.0 percent) vs Ultra US Treasury Bond previous week (93.1 percent)
SOFR 1-Month (36.2 percent) vs SOFR 1-Month previous week (35.1 percent)
SOFR 3-Months (44.7 percent) vs SOFR 3-Months previous week (47.9 percent)

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Ultra Treasury Bonds & SOFR 1-Month top the 6-Week Strength Trends

COT Strength Score Trends (or move index, calculates the 6-week changes in strength scores) showed that the Ultra Treasury Bonds (25 percent) and the SOFR 1-Month (23 percent) lead the past six weeks trends for bonds. The US Treasury Bonds (14 percent) and the  are the next highest positive movers in the latest trends data.

The SOFR 3-Months (-35 percent), the Ultra 10-Year Bonds (-23 percent) and the 5-Year Bonds (-20 percent) lead the downside trend scores currently.

Strength Trend Statistics:
Fed Funds (-45.6 percent) vs Fed Funds previous week (-44.9 percent)
2-Year Bond (-14.1 percent) vs 2-Year Bond previous week (-15.6 percent)
5-Year Bond (-20.4 percent) vs 5-Year Bond previous week (-16.9 percent)
10-Year Bond (5.0 percent) vs 10-Year Bond previous week (31.0 percent)
Ultra 10-Year Bond (-22.7 percent) vs Ultra 10-Year Bond previous week (-19.5 percent)
US Treasury Bond (14.1 percent) vs US Treasury Bond previous week (19.1 percent)
Ultra US Treasury Bond (24.6 percent) vs Ultra US Treasury Bond previous week (9.5 percent)
SOFR 1-Month (22.5 percent) vs SOFR 1-Month previous week (14.5 percent)
SOFR 3-Months (-34.6 percent) vs SOFR 3-Months previous week (-43.1 percent)

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30-Day Federal Funds Futures:

The 30-Day Federal Funds large speculator standing this week reached a net position of -55,140 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly decline of -57,577 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 2,437 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 44.4 percent. The commercials are Bullish with a score of 52.4 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 81.5 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.

30-Day Federal Funds Statistics	SPECULATORS	COMMERCIALS	SMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:	8.5	66.3	1.9
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:	11.8	63.0	2.1
– Net Position:	-55,140	57,093	-1,953
– Gross Longs:	144,425	1,126,402	32,994
– Gross Shorts:	199,565	1,069,309	34,947
– Long to Short Ratio:	0.7 to 1	1.1 to 1	0.9 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):	44.4	52.4	81.5
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):	Bearish	Bullish	Bullish-Extreme
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:	-45.6	43.0	19.1

 

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Secured Overnight Financing Rate (3-Month) Futures:

The Secured Overnight Financing Rate (3-Month) large speculator standing this week reached a net position of -300,954 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly fall of -61,073 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -239,881 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 44.7 percent. The commercials are Bullish with a score of 56.1 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 77.9 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.

SOFR 3-Months Statistics	SPECULATORS	COMMERCIALS	SMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:	13.3	58.3	0.3
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:	16.0	55.4	0.5
– Net Position:	-300,954	319,102	-18,148
– Gross Longs:	1,462,583	6,428,182	35,198
– Gross Shorts:	1,763,537	6,109,080	53,346
– Long to Short Ratio:	0.8 to 1	1.1 to 1	0.7 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):	44.7	56.1	77.9
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):	Bearish	Bullish	Bullish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:	-34.6	35.8	-12.5

 

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Individual Bond Markets:

Secured Overnight Financing Rate (1-Month) Futures:

The Secured Overnight Financing Rate (1-Month) large speculator standing this week reached a net position of -130,957 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly rise of 4,701 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -135,658 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 36.2 percent. The commercials are Bullish with a score of 63.8 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 54.3 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Uptrend

Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Uptrend.

SOFR 1-Month Statistics	SPECULATORS	COMMERCIALS	SMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:	13.7	64.3	0.0
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:	24.5	53.6	0.0
– Net Position:	-130,957	131,159	-202
– Gross Longs:	167,017	782,983	230
– Gross Shorts:	297,974	651,824	432
– Long to Short Ratio:	0.6 to 1	1.2 to 1	0.5 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):	36.2	63.8	54.3
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):	Bearish	Bullish	Bullish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:	22.5	-22.6	3.3

 

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2-Year Treasury Note Futures:

The 2-Year Treasury Note large speculator standing this week reached a net position of -1,447,344 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly reduction of -23,473 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -1,423,871 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 2.5 percent. The commercials are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 96.6 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 86.1 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Weak Uptrend

Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Weak Uptrend.

2-Year Treasury Note Statistics	SPECULATORS	COMMERCIALS	SMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:	11.0	78.5	6.0
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:	42.3	50.6	2.6
– Net Position:	-1,447,344	1,288,654	158,690
– Gross Longs:	508,805	3,626,185	276,844
– Gross Shorts:	1,956,149	2,337,531	118,154
– Long to Short Ratio:	0.3 to 1	1.6 to 1	2.3 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):	2.5	96.6	86.1
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):	Bearish-Extreme	Bullish-Extreme	Bullish-Extreme
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:	-14.1	18.7	-9.8

 

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5-Year Treasury Note Futures:

The 5-Year Treasury Note large speculator standing this week reached a net position of -1,983,026 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly fall of -113,816 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -1,869,210 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 Bullish with a score of 75.9 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Strong Downtrend

Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Strong Downtrend.

5-Year Treasury Note Statistics	SPECULATORS	COMMERCIALS	SMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:	6.0	82.7	6.3
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:	35.2	55.3	4.5
– Net Position:	-1,983,026	1,861,574	121,452
– Gross Longs:	407,669	5,621,654	429,703
– Gross Shorts:	2,390,695	3,760,080	308,251
– Long to Short Ratio:	0.2 to 1	1.5 to 1	1.4 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):	0.0	100.0	75.9
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):	Bearish-Extreme	Bullish-Extreme	Bullish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:	-20.4	29.1	-13.8

 

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10-Year Treasury Note Futures:

The 10-Year Treasury Note large speculator standing this week reached a net position of -907,502 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly fall of -91,701 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -815,801 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 22.3 percent. The commercials are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 83.6 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 75.9 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Strong Downtrend

Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Strong Downtrend.

10-Year Treasury Note Statistics	SPECULATORS	COMMERCIALS	SMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:	8.9	78.1	9.3
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:	28.0	60.1	8.2
– Net Position:	-907,502	856,303	51,199
– Gross Longs:	424,509	3,710,545	442,533
– Gross Shorts:	1,332,011	2,854,242	391,334
– Long to Short Ratio:	0.3 to 1	1.3 to 1	1.1 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):	22.3	83.6	75.9
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):	Bearish	Bullish-Extreme	Bullish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:	5.0	6.2	-23.1

 

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Ultra 10-Year Notes Futures:

The Ultra 10-Year Notes large speculator standing this week reached a net position of -171,268 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly decrease of -14,477 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -156,791 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 27.2 percent. The commercials are Bullish with a score of 68.0 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 65.4 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.

Ultra 10-Year Notes Statistics	SPECULATORS	COMMERCIALS	SMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:	13.8	74.4	9.7
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:	21.4	63.3	13.2
– Net Position:	-171,268	249,454	-78,186
– Gross Longs:	312,413	1,678,313	219,354
– Gross Shorts:	483,681	1,428,859	297,540
– Long to Short Ratio:	0.6 to 1	1.2 to 1	0.7 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):	27.2	68.0	65.4
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):	Bearish	Bullish	Bullish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:	-22.7	30.1	-3.1

 

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US Treasury Bonds Futures:

The US Treasury Bonds large speculator standing this week reached a net position of -35,645 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly increase of 6,123 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -41,768 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 71.1 percent. The commercials are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 16.7 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 68.2 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Strong Downtrend

Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Strong Downtrend.

US Treasury Bonds Statistics	SPECULATORS	COMMERCIALS	SMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:	20.9	59.5	10.2
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:	22.6	61.3	6.7
– Net Position:	-35,645	-36,093	71,738
– Gross Longs:	430,752	1,226,901	209,744
– Gross Shorts:	466,397	1,262,994	138,006
– 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):	71.1	16.7	68.2
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):	Bullish	Bearish-Extreme	Bullish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:	14.1	-3.6	-20.3

 

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Ultra US Treasury Bonds Futures:

The Ultra US Treasury Bonds large speculator standing this week reached a net position of -225,304 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly lift of 15,980 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -241,284 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 100.0 percent. The commercials are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 0.0 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 26.8 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Strong Downtrend

Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Strong Downtrend.

Ultra US Treasury Bonds Statistics	SPECULATORS	COMMERCIALS	SMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:	9.1	77.2	10.0
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:	21.4	65.7	9.2
– Net Position:	-225,304	210,507	14,797
– Gross Longs:	166,467	1,410,459	183,468
– Gross Shorts:	391,771	1,199,952	168,671
– Long to Short Ratio:	0.4 to 1	1.2 to 1	1.1 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):	100.0	0.0	26.8
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):	Bullish-Extreme	Bearish-Extreme	Bearish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:	24.6	-27.4	-2.2

 

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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.