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 October 29th 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 & Live Cattle
The COT soft commodities markets speculator bets were decisively lower this week as 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 Corn (65,464 contracts) with Live Cattle (8,955 contracts) and Lean Hogs (11,584 contracts) also having positive weeks.
The markets with the declines in speculator bets this week were Soybean Meal (-41,343 contracts), Soybeans (-13,765 contracts), Sugar (-10,708 contracts), Wheat (-5,809 contracts), Soybean Oil (-4,687 contracts), Cotton (-4,504 contracts), Cocoa (-3,578 contracts) and with Coffee (-1,003 contracts) also seeing 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 Lean Hogs & Coffee
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 Lean Hogs (94 percent) and Coffee (90 percent) lead the softs markets this week. Soybean Oil (77 percent), Live Cattle (67 percent) and Wheat (54 percent) come in as the next highest in the weekly strength scores.
On the downside, Cotton (22 percent) and Soybeans (25 percent) come in at the lowest strength levels currently. The next lowest strength scores are the Sugar (31 percent) and the Soybean Meal (39 percent).
Strength Statistics:
Corn (44.5 percent) vs Corn previous week (36.1 percent)
Sugar (30.6 percent) vs Sugar previous week (34.4 percent)
Coffee (89.5 percent) vs Coffee previous week (90.5 percent)
Soybeans (24.8 percent) vs Soybeans previous week (28.1 percent)
Soybean Oil (76.7 percent) vs Soybean Oil previous week (79.2 percent)
Soybean Meal (38.5 percent) vs Soybean Meal previous week (55.5 percent)
Live Cattle (67.1 percent) vs Live Cattle previous week (57.4 percent)
Lean Hogs (94.0 percent) vs Lean Hogs previous week (82.8 percent)
Cotton (22.2 percent) vs Cotton previous week (25.1 percent)
Cocoa (48.1 percent) vs Cocoa previous week (51.8 percent)
Wheat (53.6 percent) vs Wheat previous week (57.8 percent)
Lean Hogs & Live Cattle top the 6-Week Strength Trends
COT Strength Score Trends (or move index, calculates the 6-week changes in strength scores) showed that Lean Hogs (62 percent) and Live Cattle (55 percent) lead the past six weeks trends for soft commodities. Soybean Oil (40 percent), Corn (19 percent) and Soybeans (10 percent) are the next highest positive movers in the latest trends data.
Soybean Meal (-7 percent) leads the downside trend scores currently with Wheat (-6 percent) and Coffee (-5 percent) following next with lower trend scores.
Strength Trend Statistics:
Corn (19.0 percent) vs Corn previous week (8.4 percent)
Sugar (3.7 percent) vs Sugar previous week (10.6 percent)
Coffee (-4.7 percent) vs Coffee previous week (2.8 percent)
Soybeans (10.0 percent) vs Soybeans previous week (15.6 percent)
Soybean Oil (40.1 percent) vs Soybean Oil previous week (40.5 percent)
Soybean Meal (-6.6 percent) vs Soybean Meal previous week (12.1 percent)
Live Cattle (55.3 percent) vs Live Cattle previous week (42.8 percent)
Lean Hogs (62.2 percent) vs Lean Hogs previous week (55.1 percent)
Cotton (9.4 percent) vs Cotton previous week (25.1 percent)
Cocoa (3.7 percent) vs Cocoa previous week (8.9 percent)
Wheat (-6.3 percent) vs Wheat previous week (-0.6 percent)
Individual Soft Commodities Markets:
CORN Futures:
The CORN large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of 83,304 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly increase of 65,464 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 17,840 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 44.5 percent. The commercials are Bullish with a score of 57.6 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 46.0 percent.
Price Trend-Following Model: Downtrend
Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Downtrend.
| CORN Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 24.1 | 45.7 | 8.2 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 19.1 | 47.9 | 10.9 |
| – Net Position: | 83,304 | -36,852 | -46,452 |
| – Gross Longs: | 405,262 | 769,258 | 137,217 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 321,958 | 806,110 | 183,669 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 1.3 to 1 | 1.0 to 1 | 0.7 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 44.5 | 57.6 | 46.0 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bearish | Bullish | Bearish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 19.0 | -18.7 | -11.5 |
SUGAR Futures:
The SUGAR large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of 82,843 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly lowering of -10,708 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 93,551 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 30.6 percent. The commercials are Bullish with a score of 62.7 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 64.7 percent.
Price Trend-Following Model: Strong Uptrend
Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Strong Uptrend.
| SUGAR Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 26.2 | 49.4 | 9.8 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 16.4 | 63.2 | 5.8 |
| – Net Position: | 82,843 | -117,480 | 34,637 |
| – Gross Longs: | 222,539 | 420,265 | 83,668 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 139,696 | 537,745 | 49,031 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 1.6 to 1 | 0.8 to 1 | 1.7 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 30.6 | 62.7 | 64.7 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bearish | Bullish | Bullish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 3.7 | -11.0 | 36.2 |
COFFEE Futures:
The COFFEE large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of 65,301 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly fall of -1,003 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 66,304 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 89.5 percent. The commercials are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 10.5 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 58.7 percent.
Price Trend-Following Model: Uptrend
Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Uptrend.
| COFFEE Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 35.8 | 40.2 | 3.9 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 5.5 | 71.8 | 2.7 |
| – Net Position: | 65,301 | -68,034 | 2,733 |
| – Gross Longs: | 77,119 | 86,446 | 8,468 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 11,818 | 154,480 | 5,735 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 6.5 to 1 | 0.6 to 1 | 1.5 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 89.5 | 10.5 | 58.7 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bullish-Extreme | Bearish-Extreme | Bullish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | -4.7 | 5.3 | -10.3 |
SOYBEANS Futures:
The SOYBEANS large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of -92,060 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly lowering of -13,765 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -78,295 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 24.8 percent. The commercials are Bullish with a score of 75.2 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 73.5 percent.
Price Trend-Following Model: Downtrend
Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Downtrend.
| SOYBEANS Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 17.5 | 58.4 | 6.4 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 28.5 | 45.6 | 8.2 |
| – Net Position: | -92,060 | 106,992 | -14,932 |
| – Gross Longs: | 145,891 | 487,281 | 53,315 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 237,951 | 380,289 | 68,247 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 0.6 to 1 | 1.3 to 1 | 0.8 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 24.8 | 75.2 | 73.5 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bearish | Bullish | Bullish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 10.0 | -12.0 | 15.8 |
SOYBEAN OIL Futures:
The SOYBEAN OIL large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of 64,345 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly fall of -4,687 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 69,032 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 76.7 percent. The commercials are Bearish with a score of 28.5 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 34.8 percent.
Price Trend-Following Model: Weak Downtrend
Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Weak Downtrend.
| SOYBEAN OIL Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 29.0 | 48.9 | 5.8 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 16.9 | 62.1 | 4.8 |
| – Net Position: | 64,345 | -69,705 | 5,360 |
| – Gross Longs: | 153,757 | 259,002 | 30,638 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 89,412 | 328,707 | 25,278 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 1.7 to 1 | 0.8 to 1 | 1.2 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 76.7 | 28.5 | 34.8 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bullish | Bearish | Bearish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 40.1 | -37.7 | 12.1 |
SOYBEAN MEAL Futures:
The SOYBEAN MEAL large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of 27,125 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly reduction of -41,343 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 68,468 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 38.5 percent. The commercials are Bullish with a score of 56.3 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 76.7 percent.
Price Trend-Following Model: Strong Downtrend
Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Strong Downtrend.
| SOYBEAN MEAL Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 23.4 | 45.1 | 9.5 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 18.8 | 54.2 | 4.9 |
| – Net Position: | 27,125 | -54,016 | 26,891 |
| – Gross Longs: | 138,571 | 266,467 | 55,890 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 111,446 | 320,483 | 28,999 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 1.2 to 1 | 0.8 to 1 | 1.9 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 38.5 | 56.3 | 76.7 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bearish | Bullish | Bullish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | -6.6 | 3.0 | 38.3 |
LIVE CATTLE Futures:
The LIVE CATTLE large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of 81,729 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly rise of 8,955 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 72,774 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 67.1 percent. The commercials are Bullish with a score of 51.8 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 0.0 percent.
Price Trend-Following Model: Strong Uptrend
Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Strong Uptrend.
| LIVE CATTLE Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 42.1 | 32.7 | 7.0 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 18.9 | 49.1 | 13.8 |
| – Net Position: | 81,729 | -57,730 | -23,999 |
| – Gross Longs: | 148,416 | 115,375 | 24,653 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 66,687 | 173,105 | 48,652 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 2.2 to 1 | 0.7 to 1 | 0.5 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 67.1 | 51.8 | 0.0 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bullish | Bullish | Bearish-Extreme |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 55.3 | -48.2 | -44.3 |
LEAN HOGS Futures:
The LEAN HOGS large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of 61,078 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly rise of 11,584 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 49,494 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 94.0 percent. The commercials are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 2.2 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 52.6 percent.
Price Trend-Following Model: Downtrend
Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Downtrend.
| LEAN HOGS Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 45.2 | 30.5 | 6.9 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 26.7 | 46.9 | 9.0 |
| – Net Position: | 61,078 | -54,210 | -6,868 |
| – Gross Longs: | 149,265 | 100,600 | 22,724 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 88,187 | 154,810 | 29,592 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 1.7 to 1 | 0.6 to 1 | 0.8 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 94.0 | 2.2 | 52.6 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bullish-Extreme | Bearish-Extreme | Bullish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 62.2 | -67.3 | -15.4 |
COTTON Futures:
The COTTON large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of -11,861 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly reduction of -4,504 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -7,357 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 22.2 percent. The commercials are Bullish with a score of 78.9 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 9.7 percent.
Price Trend-Following Model: Uptrend
Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Uptrend.
| COTTON Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 24.9 | 48.5 | 5.2 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 29.4 | 43.5 | 5.6 |
| – Net Position: | -11,861 | 12,964 | -1,103 |
| – Gross Longs: | 65,551 | 127,371 | 13,618 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 77,412 | 114,407 | 14,721 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 0.8 to 1 | 1.1 to 1 | 0.9 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 22.2 | 78.9 | 9.7 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bearish | Bullish | Bearish-Extreme |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 9.4 | -7.0 | -15.8 |
COCOA Futures:
The COCOA large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of 37,398 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly decrease of -3,578 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 40,976 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 48.1 percent. The commercials are Bearish with a score of 47.3 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 73.3 percent.
Price Trend-Following Model: Strong Downtrend
Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Strong Downtrend.
| COCOA Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 38.8 | 38.7 | 8.9 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 10.3 | 72.7 | 3.4 |
| – Net Position: | 37,398 | -44,582 | 7,184 |
| – Gross Longs: | 50,995 | 50,903 | 11,681 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 13,597 | 95,485 | 4,497 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 3.8 to 1 | 0.5 to 1 | 2.6 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 48.1 | 47.3 | 73.3 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bearish | Bearish | Bullish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 3.7 | -5.0 | 11.5 |
WHEAT Futures:
The WHEAT large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of -22,891 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly lowering of -5,809 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -17,082 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 53.6 percent. The commercials are Bearish with a score of 49.0 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 10.5 percent.
Price Trend-Following Model: Strong Uptrend
Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Strong Uptrend.
| WHEAT Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 25.7 | 38.9 | 7.2 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 31.2 | 31.3 | 9.3 |
| – Net Position: | -22,891 | 31,600 | -8,709 |
| – Gross Longs: | 106,934 | 161,596 | 30,120 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 129,825 | 129,996 | 38,829 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 0.8 to 1 | 1.2 to 1 | 0.8 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 53.6 | 49.0 | 10.5 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bullish | Bearish | Bearish-Extreme |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | -6.3 | 8.5 | -13.6 |
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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