Archive for COT Updates

Commitment of Traders Data – Weekly Updates for the Futures Markets

New Zealand Dollar Speculators raise Bets as NZD rises on possible higher interest rates

By InvestMacro 

Speculators OI FX Futures COT Chart

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 26th and shows a quick view of how large market participants (for-profit speculators and commercial traders) were positioned in the futures markets. All currency positions are in direct relation to the US dollar where, for example, a bet for the euro is a bet that the euro will rise versus the dollar while a bet against the euro will be a bet that the euro will decline versus the dollar.

Weekly Speculator Changes led by New Zealand Dollar & British Pound

Speculators Nets FX Futures COT Chart
The COT currency market speculator bets were slightly higher this week as six out of the eleven currency markets we cover had higher positioning while the other five markets had lower speculator contracts.

Leading the gains for the currency markets was the New Zealand Dollar (6,434 contracts) with the British Pound (2,909 contracts), Swiss Franc (1,797 contracts), US Dollar Index (1,329 contracts), Brazilian Real (639 contracts) and the Bitcoin (170 contracts) also showing positive weeks.

The currencies seeing declines in speculator bets on the week were the Canadian Dollar (-37,651 contracts) and the Australian Dollar (-25,489 contracts) with the Japanese Yen (-20,762 contracts), Mexican Peso (-4,095 contracts) and the EuroFX (-4,087 contracts) also registering lower bets on the week.

New Zealand Dollar Speculators raise Bets as NZD rises on possible higher interest rates

Leading the Currencies market speculator positioning this week was the New Zealand Dollar. The NZD saw speculator bets go higher by almost 6,500 contracts this week and has now improved in two out of the past three weeks. Helping out the New Zealand Dollar contracts – as well as the NZD market price this week – was speculation out of the New Zealand Central Bank that future interest rates would likely be on the rise due to higher inflation risks. This helped move the NZD market price this week go higher by 2% against the US Dollar in the foreign exchange markets. The speculator position, meanwhile, remains overall bearish, with a weekly standing of -34,179 contracts. The NZD speculative standing has now remained in a bearish position for the past 45 consecutive weeks, dating back to July 15th of 2025. We shall see if this new information and possible bias for higher interest rates will dampen the existing bearish sentiment for traders and speculators.

The Canadian Dollar is next up in speculative positioning major changes this week as the CAD speculators dropped their positions by -37,651 contracts. This was the third consecutive week that Canadian Dollar positions have fallen or gone more bearish overall as fluctuating crude oil prices have had a volatile effect on speculator positioning. The Canadian Dollar speculative standing this week sits at -68,882 contracts, which is the most bearish level of the past six weeks. In the foreign exchange markets, the Canadian Dollar is still within its ascending triangle, although currently the CAD is near the bottom of its ascending trend line at the moment and still slightly below its 200-week moving average. But the Canadian Dollar was marginally higher this week and trades around the 0.7254 threshold which means there’s still waiting to be done to see if the CAD breaks out of its ascending triangle soon.

Next up, the Australian Dollar speculative position fell sharply this week after four consecutive weeks of increases. The AUD speculative position remains in a strong bullish level at a total of 60,155 net contracts. The overall position continues to have a strong strength score with an 86.8% score of the range of the past three years, which categorizes as bullish extreme. In the foreign exchange market, the Australian Dollar continues to show strength, and this week gained after falling in the two previous weeks. The AUD closed above the 0.7180 price level and could be rising higher to test the 2026 high (and the highest levels the currency has seen since 2022).

The Japanese Yen speculative position continues to accumulate bearish positions for a third consecutive week this week. The Japanese Yen speculators have now added a total of -52,929 net contracts to a bearish position over just the past three weeks and brings the total bearish level to -114,667 contracts. This is the most bearish position since July 16th of 2024, a span of 97 weeks. In the foreign exchange markets, the Japanese Yen was down just a bit this week, and the volatility of the currency has taken a hit after the Bank of Japan intervened in the currency market to stem the weakness of the JPY a few weeks ago. The current level of the Japanese Yen is back near the price where the BOJ intervened, and traders are understandably treading cautiously.

Finally, the US Dollar Index speculative position this week rose modestly by 1,329 contracts. This has taken the overall net position out of the small bearish position of May 19th to this week’s small bullish position of +850 contracts. The US Dollar Index contracts have been in bullish territory for 10 out of the last 11 weeks. Overall, in the big picture of things, the current positioning marks a very neutral level. In the foreign exchange markets, we have not seen much change for the US Dollar Index as it continues to trade in its well-established range of between 96.50 on the low side and with the significant resistance level of 100.00 on the upside. This week, the Dollar Index dipped and continues almost in the middle of its range to trade at 98.85.

Currencies Price Performance Leaders

The New Zealand Dollar leads Currency market price performances. In the major international Currency market price performances, the New Zealand Dollar came in at the highest weekly gain with a 2.02% increase. The Australian Dollar came in next with a 0.36% rise, followed by the Euro, which was up by 0.24%, and the Swiss Franc, which was also up by 0.24%. The Canadian Dollar rounds out the gainers for the week with a 0.10% uptick.

On the downside, the British Pound Sterling edged lower with a -0.06% slide, followed by the Brazilian Real, which dipped by -0.08%. Next up, the US Dollar Index was slightly lower with a -0.16% shortfall, followed by the Japanese Yen, which was lower by -0.18%. The Mexican Peso dipped by -0.42% on the week.

The biggest decliner on the week was Bitcoin, which saw a fall by -2.60%.


Currencies Data:

Speculators FX Futures COT Data Table
Legend: Open Interest | Speculators Current Net Position | Weekly Specs Change | Specs Strength Score compared to last 3-Years (0-100 range)


Strength Scores led by Bitcoin & Brazilian Real

Speculators Strength Scores FX Futures COT Chart
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 Bitcoin (95 percent) and the Brazilian Real (92 percent) lead the currency markets this week. The Australian Dollar (87 percent) and the Canadian Dollar (55 percent) come in as the next highest in the weekly strength scores.

On the downside, the British Pound (14 percent) and the Japanese Yen (19 percent) come in at the lowest strength levels currently and are in Extreme-Bearish territory (below 20 percent). The next lowest strength scores are the New Zealand Dollar (26 percent) and the Swiss Franc (30 percent).

3-Year Strength Statistics:
US Dollar Index (46.4 percent) vs US Dollar Index previous week (42.8 percent)
EuroFX (41.0 percent) vs EuroFX previous week (42.6 percent)
British Pound Sterling (13.5 percent) vs British Pound Sterling previous week (12.3 percent)
Japanese Yen (19.1 percent) vs Japanese Yen previous week (24.9 percent)
Swiss Franc (30.2 percent) vs Swiss Franc previous week (26.5 percent)
Canadian Dollar (54.8 percent) vs Canadian Dollar previous week (71.0 percent)
Australian Dollar (86.8 percent) vs Australian Dollar previous week (100.0 percent)
New Zealand Dollar (25.8 percent) vs New Zealand Dollar previous week (18.5 percent)
Mexican Peso (42.3 percent) vs Mexican Peso previous week (45.2 percent)
Brazilian Real (92.1 percent) vs Brazilian Real previous week (91.6 percent)
Bitcoin (94.9 percent) vs Bitcoin previous week (91.5 percent)


Brazilian Real & New Zealand Dollar top the 6-Week Strength Trends

Speculators Trends FX Futures COT Chart
COT Strength Score Trends (or move index, calculates the 6-week changes in strength scores) showed that the Brazilian Real (23 percent) and the New Zealand Dollar (9 percent) lead the past six weeks trends for the currencies. The Canadian Dollar (4 percent), the Bitcoin (2 percent) and the EuroFX (1 percent) are the next highest positive movers in the 3-Year trends data.

The US Dollar Index (-12 percent) leads the downside trend scores currently with the Japanese Yen (-9 percent), Australian Dollar (-3 percent) and the British Pound (-3 percent) following next with lower trend scores.

3-Year Strength Trends:
US Dollar Index (-11.7 percent) vs US Dollar Index previous week (-16.2 percent)
EuroFX (1.3 percent) vs EuroFX previous week (16.0 percent)
British Pound Sterling (-2.8 percent) vs British Pound Sterling previous week (-3.4 percent)
Japanese Yen (-8.7 percent) vs Japanese Yen previous week (-0.0 percent)
Swiss Franc (-2.2 percent) vs Swiss Franc previous week (-12.9 percent)
Canadian Dollar (4.0 percent) vs Canadian Dollar previous week (10.5 percent)
Australian Dollar (-2.5 percent) vs Australian Dollar previous week (7.7 percent)
New Zealand Dollar (9.3 percent) vs New Zealand Dollar previous week (-5.2 percent)
Mexican Peso (-0.6 percent) vs Mexican Peso previous week (3.4 percent)
Brazilian Real (23.0 percent) vs Brazilian Real previous week (22.5 percent)
Bitcoin (1.8 percent) vs Bitcoin previous week (-8.5 percent)


Individual COT Forex Markets:

US Dollar Index Futures:

US Dollar Index Forex Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • US Dollar Index large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of 850 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position increase of 1,329 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -479 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish with a score of 46.4 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bullish with a score of 50.0 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 73.3 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Uptrend

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

US DOLLAR INDEX StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:53.833.98.0
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:51.839.64.3
– Net Position:850-2,4131,563
– Gross Longs:22,73214,3373,364
– Gross Shorts:21,88216,7501,801
– Long to Short Ratio:1.0 to 10.9 to 11.9 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):46.450.073.3
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BearishBullishBullish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-11.78.225.7

 


Euro Currency Futures:

Euro Currency Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Euro Currency large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of 29,426 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position decline of -4,087 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 33,513 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish with a score of 41.0 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bullish with a score of 58.5 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 50.7 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Downtrend

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

EURO Currency StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:27.157.010.8
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:23.565.06.4
– Net Position:29,426-65,52436,098
– Gross Longs:223,055469,88688,813
– Gross Shorts:193,629535,41052,715
– Long to Short Ratio:1.2 to 10.9 to 11.7 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):41.058.550.7
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BearishBullishBullish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:1.3-1.0-0.9

 


British Pound Sterling Futures:

British Pound Sterling Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • British Pound Sterling large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of -61,398 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position lift of 2,909 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -64,307 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish-Extreme with a score of 13.5 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 85.0 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 47.7 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Weak Downtrend

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

BRITISH POUND StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:20.667.910.1
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:42.345.410.9
– Net Position:-61,39863,548-2,150
– Gross Longs:57,978191,61128,467
– Gross Shorts:119,376128,06330,617
– Long to Short Ratio:0.5 to 11.5 to 10.9 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):13.585.047.7
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):Bearish-ExtremeBullish-ExtremeBearish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-2.81.76.2

 


Japanese Yen Futures:

Japanese Yen Forex Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Japanese Yen large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of -114,667 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position reduction of -20,762 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -93,905 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish-Extreme with a score of 19.1 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bullish with a score of 78.1 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 54.7 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Downtrend

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

JAPANESE YEN StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:26.457.310.9
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:53.332.19.3
– Net Position:-114,667107,6926,975
– Gross Longs:112,993244,88846,540
– Gross Shorts:227,660137,19639,565
– Long to Short Ratio:0.5 to 11.8 to 11.2 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):19.178.154.7
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):Bearish-ExtremeBullishBullish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-8.76.712.4

 


Swiss Franc Futures:

Swiss Franc Forex Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Swiss Franc large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of -35,140 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position boost of 1,797 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -36,937 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish with a score of 30.2 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bullish with a score of 73.1 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 36.2 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Weak Downtrend

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

SWISS FRANC StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:6.782.510.7
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:40.039.720.2
– Net Position:-35,14045,171-10,031
– Gross Longs:7,11887,06311,286
– Gross Shorts:42,25841,89221,317
– Long to Short Ratio:0.2 to 12.1 to 10.5 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):30.273.136.2
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BearishBullishBearish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-2.27.3-14.5

 


Canadian Dollar Futures:

Canadian Dollar Forex Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Canadian Dollar large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of -68,882 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position decline of -37,651 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -31,231 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish with a score of 54.8 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bearish with a score of 46.8 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 37.1 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Strong Downtrend

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

CANADIAN DOLLAR StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:18.065.610.7
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:41.141.411.7
– Net Position:-68,88271,845-2,963
– Gross Longs:53,676195,30731,797
– Gross Shorts:122,558123,46234,760
– Long to Short Ratio:0.4 to 11.6 to 10.9 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):54.846.837.1
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BullishBearishBearish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:4.0-2.6-8.0

 


Australian Dollar Futures:

Australian Dollar Forex Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Australian Dollar large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of 60,155 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position lowering of -25,489 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 85,644 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish-Extreme with a score of 86.8 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 13.7 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 82.8 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Uptrend

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

AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:42.640.513.2
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:22.867.16.5
– Net Position:60,155-80,43220,277
– Gross Longs:129,129122,59839,822
– Gross Shorts:68,974203,03019,545
– Long to Short Ratio:1.9 to 10.6 to 12.0 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):86.813.782.8
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):Bullish-ExtremeBearish-ExtremeBullish-Extreme
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-2.54.5-11.6

 


New Zealand Dollar Futures:

New Zealand Dollar Forex Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • New Zealand Dollar large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of -34,179 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position lift of 6,434 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -40,613 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish with a score of 25.8 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bullish with a score of 75.7 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 15.8 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Weak Downtrend

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

NEW ZEALAND DOLLAR StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:12.882.53.9
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:50.242.07.0
– Net Position:-34,17936,990-2,811
– Gross Longs:11,72175,3803,570
– Gross Shorts:45,90038,3906,381
– Long to Short Ratio:0.3 to 12.0 to 10.6 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):25.875.715.8
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BearishBullishBearish-Extreme
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:9.3-7.6-17.9

 


Mexican Peso Futures:

Mexican Peso Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Mexican Peso large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of 58,154 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position decrease of -4,095 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 62,249 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish with a score of 42.3 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bullish with a score of 55.2 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 51.8 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Strong Uptrend

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

MEXICAN PESO StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:45.050.24.0
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:16.181.71.4
– Net Position:58,154-63,3905,236
– Gross Longs:90,541100,9528,046
– Gross Shorts:32,387164,3422,810
– Long to Short Ratio:2.8 to 10.6 to 12.9 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):42.355.251.8
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BearishBullishBullish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-0.60.13.4

 


Brazilian Real Futures:

Brazil Real Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Brazilian Real large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of 71,651 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position increase of 639 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 71,012 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish-Extreme with a score of 92.1 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 7.8 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 38.7 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Uptrend

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

BRAZIL REAL StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:63.217.93.1
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:16.167.01.0
– Net Position:71,651-74,8123,161
– Gross Longs:96,20427,2534,757
– Gross Shorts:24,553102,0651,596
– Long to Short Ratio:3.9 to 10.3 to 13.0 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):92.17.838.7
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):Bullish-ExtremeBearish-ExtremeBearish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:23.0-22.0-5.0

 


Bitcoin Futures:

Bitcoin Crypto Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Bitcoin large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of 2,282 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position increase of 170 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 2,112 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish-Extreme with a score of 94.9 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 3.4 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 42.9 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Downtrend

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

BITCOIN StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:79.31.05.9
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:68.712.05.4
– Net Position:2,282-2,390108
– Gross Longs:17,1462121,267
– Gross Shorts:14,8642,6021,159
– Long to Short Ratio:1.2 to 10.1 to 11.1 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):94.93.442.9
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):Bullish-ExtremeBearish-ExtremeBearish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:1.8-7.713.4

 


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*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.

All information and opinions on this website and contained in this article are for general informational purposes only and do not constitute investment advice.

COT Metals Charts: Weekly Speculator Changes led by Steel

By InvestMacro 

Metals Open Interest COT Chart
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 26th 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 Steel

Metals Net Positions COT Chart
The COT metals markets speculator bets were overall decisively lower this week as just one out of the six metals markets we cover had higher positioning while the other five markets had lower speculator contracts.

Leading the gains for the metals was Steel which showed a small gain by 245 contracts for the week.

The markets with declines in speculator bets for the week were Gold (-5,573 contracts), Copper (-2,846 contracts), Silver (-2,448 contracts), Platinum (-250 contracts) and with Palladium (-393 contracts) also registering lower bets on the week.

Palladium leads Metals markets price performances on the week

This week’s major Metals market price performances were led by Palladium, which rose by 1.10%. Gold was up marginally higher by 0.45%, while Steel rounded out the gainers with a 0.09% uptick.

On the downside, Platinum dipped by -0.25% and Copper was lower by -0.50%. Silver was the biggest decliner on the week with a -2.69% decrease.


Metals Data:

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


Strength Scores led by Copper & Steel

Metals Strength Scores COT Chart
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 Copper (97 percent) and Steel (85 percent) lead the metals markets this week. Platinum (55 percent) comes in as the next highest in the weekly strength scores.

On the downside, Silver (24 percent) and Gold (34 percent) come in at the lowest strength levels currently.

Strength Statistics:
Gold (34.0 percent) vs Gold previous week (36.2 percent)
Silver (24.2 percent) vs Silver previous week (28.3 percent)
Copper (97.0 percent) vs Copper previous week (99.6 percent)
Platinum (55.2 percent) vs Platinum previous week (55.8 percent)
Palladium (72.8 percent) vs Palladium previous week (75.4 percent)
Steel (85.4 percent) vs Steel previous week (84.2 percent)

 


Copper tops the 6-Week Strength Trends

Metals Trends COT Chart
COT Strength Score Trends (or move index, calculates the 6-week changes in strength scores) showed that Copper (16 percent) leads the past six weeks trends for metals and is the only positive mover this week.

Palladium (-12 percent) leads the downside trend scores currently with Platinum (-7 percent) as the next market with lower trend scores.

Move Statistics:
Gold (-3.4 percent) vs Gold previous week (1.4 percent)
Silver (-2.3 percent) vs Silver previous week (2.1 percent)
Copper (16.4 percent) vs Copper previous week (32.7 percent)
Platinum (-7.4 percent) vs Platinum previous week (-0.3 percent)
Palladium (-12.1 percent) vs Palladium previous week (-7.3 percent)
Steel (-0.9 percent) vs Steel previous week (-1.1 percent)


Individual Markets:

Gold Comex Futures Futures:

Gold Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Gold Comex Futures large speculator standing this week totaled a net position of 154,260 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position lowering of -5,573 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 159,833 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish with a score of 34.0 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bullish with a score of 61.8 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 58.0 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Downtrend

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

Gold Futures StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:56.821.113.3
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:13.173.74.4
– Net Position:154,260-185,76631,506
– Gross Longs:200,70474,64147,149
– Gross Shorts:46,444260,40715,643
– Long to Short Ratio:4.3 to 10.3 to 13.0 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):34.061.858.0
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BearishBullishBullish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-3.46.1-20.6

 


Silver Comex Futures Futures:

Silver Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Silver Comex Futures large speculator standing this week totaled a net position of 22,223 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position fall of -2,448 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 24,671 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish with a score of 24.2 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bullish with a score of 71.9 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 55.5 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Downtrend

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

Silver Futures StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:32.227.126.8
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:10.467.38.5
– Net Position:22,223-40,89318,670
– Gross Longs:32,75827,60527,301
– Gross Shorts:10,53568,4988,631
– Long to Short Ratio:3.1 to 10.4 to 13.2 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):24.271.955.5
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BearishBullishBullish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-2.3-1.211.6

 


Copper Grade #1 Futures Futures:

Copper Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Copper Grade #1 Futures large speculator standing this week totaled a net position of 73,040 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position decrease of -2,846 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 75,886 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish-Extreme with a score of 97.0 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 2.9 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 69.4 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Strong Uptrend

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

Copper Futures StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:39.733.17.7
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:12.364.53.7
– Net Position:73,040-83,71210,672
– Gross Longs:105,67388,08320,574
– Gross Shorts:32,633171,7959,902
– Long to Short Ratio:3.2 to 10.5 to 12.1 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):97.02.969.4
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):Bullish-ExtremeBearish-ExtremeBullish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:16.4-16.68.4

 


Platinum Futures Futures:

Platinum Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Platinum Futures large speculator standing this week totaled a net position of 17,658 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position lowering of -250 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 17,908 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish with a score of 55.2 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bearish with a score of 46.4 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 63.7 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Downtrend

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

Platinum Futures StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:41.529.113.5
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:13.366.34.5
– Net Position:17,658-23,3075,649
– Gross Longs:25,99818,2678,463
– Gross Shorts:8,34041,5742,814
– Long to Short Ratio:3.1 to 10.4 to 13.0 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):55.246.463.7
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BullishBearishBullish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-7.45.011.4

 


Palladium Futures Futures:

Palladium Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Palladium Futures large speculator standing this week totaled a net position of -2,890 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position decline of -393 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -2,497 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish with a score of 72.8 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bearish with a score of 30.3 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 48.9 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Downtrend

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

Palladium Futures StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:38.540.414.8
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:55.828.09.9
– Net Position:-2,8902,059831
– Gross Longs:6,4326,7392,478
– Gross Shorts:9,3224,6801,647
– Long to Short Ratio:0.7 to 11.4 to 11.5 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):72.830.348.9
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BullishBearishBearish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-12.111.6-1.8

 


Steel Futures Futures:

Steel Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Steel Futures large speculator standing this week totaled a net position of 11,351 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position gain of 245 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 11,106 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish-Extreme with a score of 85.4 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 14.5 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 91.9 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Uptrend

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

Steel Futures StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:31.165.81.1
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:4.493.40.1
– Net Position:11,351-11,781430
– Gross Longs:13,23428,015477
– Gross Shorts:1,88339,79647
– Long to Short Ratio:7.0 to 10.7 to 110.1 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):85.414.591.9
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):Bullish-ExtremeBearish-ExtremeBullish-Extreme
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-0.90.81.9

 


Article By InvestMacroReceive our weekly COT Reports by Email

*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.

All information and opinions on this website and contained in this article are for general informational purposes only and do not constitute investment advice.

COT Bonds Charts: Speculator Changes led by 2-Year & 10-Year Bonds

By InvestMacro 

Bonds Market Open Interest Comparison
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 May 26th 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 by 2-Year & 10-Year Bonds

Bonds Market Net Speculators Positions
The COT bond market speculator bets were overall lower this week as 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 2-Year Bonds (305,591 contracts) with the 10-Year Bonds (60,098 contracts) and the 5-Year Bonds (27,389 contracts) also showing positive weeks.

The bond markets with declines in speculator bets for the week were the SOFR 3-Months (-253,525 contracts), the SOFR 1-Month (-60,859 contracts), the US Treasury Bonds (-20,577 contracts), the Fed Funds (-9,975 contracts), the Ultra Treasury Bonds (-5,378 contracts) and the Ultra 10-Year Bonds (-576 contracts) also registering lower bets on the week.

The 5-Year Bond leads the US Bond market price performances.

In the major US Bond markets price changes this week, the 5-Year Bond was the highest gainer with a modest 0.32% increase. The 10-Year Note follows that up with a 0.17% increase over the past five days, while the Fed Funds was up by a minuscule 0.01%, just like the 2-Year Bond, which was higher by 0.01% as well.

The Long US Treasury Bond was virtually unchanged on the week, while the 3-Month SOFR edged lower by -0.01%. And to close it out, the 1-Month SOFR dipped by -0.02%.


Bonds Data:

Bonds Market Speculators Data Table
Legend: Open Interest | Speculators Current Net Position | Weekly Specs Change | Specs Strength Score compared to last 3-Years (0-100 range)


Strength Scores led by 5-Year Bonds & Ultra 10-Year Bonds

Bonds Market Strength Index Comparison
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 5-Year Bonds (79 percent) and the Ultra 10-Year Bonds (77 percent) lead the bond markets this week. The Ultra Treasury Bonds (74 percent) comes in as the next highest in the weekly strength scores.

On the downside, the US Treasury Bonds (14 percent) and the SOFR 3-Months (0 percent) come in at the lowest strength level currently and are in Extreme-Bearish territory (below 20 percent).

Strength Statistics:
Fed Funds (40.7 percent) vs Fed Funds previous week (42.1 percent)
2-Year Bond (58.0 percent) vs 2-Year Bond previous week (21.7 percent)
5-Year Bond (78.9 percent) vs 5-Year Bond previous week (77.3 percent)
10-Year Bond (42.6 percent) vs 10-Year Bond previous week (35.4 percent)
Ultra 10-Year Bond (77.0 percent) vs Ultra 10-Year Bond previous week (77.1 percent)
US Treasury Bond (14.1 percent) vs US Treasury Bond previous week (21.2 percent)
Ultra US Treasury Bond (73.7 percent) vs Ultra US Treasury Bond previous week (75.7 percent)
SOFR 1-Month (42.8 percent) vs SOFR 1-Month previous week (53.5 percent)
SOFR 3-Months (0.0 percent) vs SOFR 3-Months previous week (10.2 percent)


2-Year Bonds & 5-Year Bonds top the 6-Week Strength Trends

Bonds Market Trend Index Comparison
COT Strength Score Trends (or move index, calculates the 6-week changes in strength scores) showed that the 2-Year Bonds (53 percent) and the 5-Year Bonds (18 percent) lead the past six weeks trends for bonds. The Ultra Treasury Bonds (15 percent) are the next highest positive movers in the latest trends data.

The SOFR 3-Months (-44 percent) and the US Treasury Bonds (-44 percent) lead the downside trend scores currently with the SOFR 1-Month (-27 percent) following next with lower trend scores.

Strength Trend Statistics:
Fed Funds (-11.2 percent) vs Fed Funds previous week (-3.2 percent)
2-Year Bond (53.3 percent) vs 2-Year Bond previous week (18.0 percent)
5-Year Bond (17.6 percent) vs 5-Year Bond previous week (11.7 percent)
10-Year Bond (1.5 percent) vs 10-Year Bond previous week (-2.9 percent)
Ultra 10-Year Bond (4.6 percent) vs Ultra 10-Year Bond previous week (12.2 percent)
US Treasury Bond (-43.5 percent) vs US Treasury Bond previous week (-41.6 percent)
Ultra US Treasury Bond (15.4 percent) vs Ultra US Treasury Bond previous week (2.2 percent)
SOFR 1-Month (-26.9 percent) vs SOFR 1-Month previous week (-14.2 percent)
SOFR 3-Months (-44.4 percent) vs SOFR 3-Months previous week (-36.4 percent)


30-Day Federal Funds Futures:

Federal Funds 30-Day Bonds Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • 30-Day Federal Funds large speculator standing this week totaled a net position of -106,799 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position reduction of -9,975 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -96,824 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish with a score of 40.7 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bullish with a score of 58.8 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 63.5 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Weak Uptrend

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

30-Day Federal Funds StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:9.467.62.1
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:14.962.51.7
– Net Position:-106,79998,0568,743
– Gross Longs:182,8281,310,70741,193
– Gross Shorts:289,6271,212,65132,450
– Long to Short Ratio:0.6 to 11.1 to 11.3 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):40.758.863.5
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BearishBullishBullish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-11.212.1-10.8

 


Secured Overnight Financing Rate (3-Month) Futures:

SOFR 3-Months Bonds Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Secured Overnight Financing Rate (3-Month) large speculator standing this week totaled a net position of -1,727,299 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position decrease of -253,525 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -1,473,774 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 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.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 52.8 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Weak Uptrend

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

SOFR 3-Months StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:12.264.50.4
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:25.151.60.3
– Net Position:-1,727,2991,718,0079,292
– Gross Longs:1,624,6198,610,80748,987
– Gross Shorts:3,351,9186,892,80039,695
– Long to Short Ratio:0.5 to 11.2 to 11.2 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):0.0100.052.8
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):Bearish-ExtremeBullish-ExtremeBullish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-44.444.311.8

 


Secured Overnight Financing Rate (1-Month) Futures:

SOFR 1-Month Bonds Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Secured Overnight Financing Rate (1-Month) large speculator standing this week totaled a net position of -199,896 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position decline of -60,859 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -139,037 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish with a score of 42.8 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bullish with a score of 56.3 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 75.6 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Strong Uptrend

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

SOFR 1-Month StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:18.763.40.6
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:30.951.50.3
– Net Position:-199,896195,6894,207
– Gross Longs:304,9501,036,3768,991
– Gross Shorts:504,846840,6874,784
– Long to Short Ratio:0.6 to 11.2 to 11.9 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):42.856.375.6
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BearishBullishBullish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-26.926.18.6

 


2-Year Treasury Note Futures:

2-Year Treasury Bonds Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • 2-Year Treasury Note large speculator standing this week totaled a net position of -1,255,246 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position lift of 305,591 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -1,560,837 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish with a score of 58.0 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bearish with a score of 47.3 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 0.0 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Downtrend

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

2-Year Treasury Note StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:9.675.76.7
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:34.951.55.6
– Net Position:-1,255,2461,200,67354,573
– Gross Longs:478,4283,756,899332,359
– Gross Shorts:1,733,6742,556,226277,786
– Long to Short Ratio:0.3 to 11.5 to 11.2 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):58.047.30.0
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BullishBearishBearish-Extreme
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:53.3-48.7-13.4

 


5-Year Treasury Note Futures:

5-Year Treasury Bonds Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • 5-Year Treasury Note large speculator standing this week totaled a net position of -1,323,127 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position advance of 27,389 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -1,350,516 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish with a score of 78.9 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bearish with a score of 23.2 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 34.1 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Weak Downtrend

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

5-Year Treasury Note StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:7.777.46.7
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:27.059.05.7
– Net Position:-1,323,1271,258,84564,282
– Gross Longs:526,9605,297,812457,425
– Gross Shorts:1,850,0874,038,967393,143
– Long to Short Ratio:0.3 to 11.3 to 11.2 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):78.923.234.1
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BullishBearishBearish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:17.6-18.5-2.2

 


10-Year Treasury Note Futures:

10-Year Treasury Notes Bonds Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • 10-Year Treasury Note large speculator standing this week totaled a net position of -787,954 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position advance of 60,098 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -848,052 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish with a score of 42.6 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bearish with a score of 30.5 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 100.0 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Downtrend

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

10-Year Treasury Note StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:9.667.911.4
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:22.260.06.8
– Net Position:-787,954496,185291,769
– Gross Longs:600,1644,248,016715,099
– Gross Shorts:1,388,1183,751,831423,330
– Long to Short Ratio:0.4 to 11.1 to 11.7 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):42.630.5100.0
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BearishBearishBullish-Extreme
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:1.5-36.878.9

 


Ultra 10-Year Notes Futures:

Ultra 10-Year Treasury Notes Bonds Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Ultra 10-Year Notes large speculator standing this week totaled a net position of -115,530 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position lowering of -576 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -114,954 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish with a score of 77.0 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bearish with a score of 37.0 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 13.9 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Downtrend

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

Ultra 10-Year Notes StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:8.676.29.9
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:12.867.614.2
– Net Position:-115,530234,363-118,833
– Gross Longs:235,0082,081,677269,622
– Gross Shorts:350,5381,847,314388,455
– Long to Short Ratio:0.7 to 11.1 to 10.7 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):77.037.013.9
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BullishBearishBearish-Extreme
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:4.6-4.4-0.8

 


US Treasury Bonds Futures:

US Year Treasury Notes Long Bonds Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • US Treasury Bonds large speculator standing this week totaled a net position of -199,251 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position decline of -20,577 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -178,674 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish-Extreme with a score of 14.1 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bullish with a score of 75.8 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 38.8 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Downtrend

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

US Treasury Bonds StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:8.274.213.1
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:18.168.58.9
– Net Position:-199,251115,89983,352
– Gross Longs:164,5861,488,410262,170
– Gross Shorts:363,8371,372,511178,818
– Long to Short Ratio:0.5 to 11.1 to 11.5 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):14.175.838.8
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):Bearish-ExtremeBullishBearish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-43.537.6-15.0

 


Ultra US Treasury Bonds Futures:

Ultra US Year Treasury Notes Long Bonds Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Ultra US Treasury Bonds large speculator standing this week totaled a net position of -259,842 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position fall of -5,378 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -254,464 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish with a score of 73.7 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bearish with a score of 46.3 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 2.7 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Downtrend

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

Ultra US Treasury Bonds StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:5.782.97.9
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:16.072.28.4
– Net Position:-259,842271,954-12,112
– Gross Longs:144,4292,100,077199,583
– Gross Shorts:404,2711,828,123211,695
– Long to Short Ratio:0.4 to 11.1 to 10.9 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):73.746.32.7
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BullishBearishBearish-Extreme
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:15.4-9.1-17.5

 


Article By InvestMacroReceive our weekly COT Reports by Email

*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.

All information and opinions on this website and contained in this article are for general informational purposes only and do not constitute investment advice.

COT Energy Charts: Speculator Bets led by Gasoline & Bloomberg Index

By InvestMacro

Speculators OI Energy Futures COT Chart
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 26th 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 Gasoline & Bloomberg Index

Speculators Nets Energy Futures COT Chart
The COT energy market speculator bets were overall lower this week as two out of the six energy markets we cover had higher positioning while the other four markets had lower speculator contracts.

Leading the gains for the energy markets was Gasoline (3,698 contracts) with the Bloomberg Index (1,152 contracts) also seeing a positive week.

The markets with declines in speculator bets for the week were WTI Crude (-11,582 contracts), Natural Gas (-10,985 contracts), Brent Oil (-7,848 contracts) and with Heating Oil (-3,036 contracts) also seeing lower bets on the week.

Natural Gas leads Energy market price performances

In the Energy markets this week, Natural Gas was the only market that saw a higher five-day percentage gain. Natural Gas jumped by over 14% with a 14.74% rise over the past week.

On the downside, the Bloomberg Commodity Index dipped by -2.93% on the week, followed by WTI Crude Oil, which slid by -3.42%. Heating Oil was down by -6.68%, while Gasoline saw a similar -6.74% decrease.

Finally, the biggest decliner on the week was Brent Crude Oil with a -10.93% shortfall on the week.


Energy Data:

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


Strength Scores led by Gasoline & Heating Oil

Speculators Strength Energy Futures COT Chart
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 Gasoline (47.5 percent) and Heating Oil (46.9 percent) lead the energy markets this week.

On the downside, the Bloomberg Index (1.5 percent) and Natural Gas (2.1 percent) comes in at the lowest strength level currently and is in Extreme-Bearish territory (below 20 percent). The next lowest strength score was Brent Oil (34.4 percent).

Strength Statistics:
WTI Crude Oil (39.1 percent) vs WTI Crude Oil previous week (42.8 percent)
Brent Crude Oil (34.4 percent) vs Brent Crude Oil previous week (45.6 percent)
Natural Gas (2.1 percent) vs Natural Gas previous week (9.1 percent)
Gasoline (47.5 percent) vs Gasoline previous week (43.4 percent)
Heating Oil (46.9 percent) vs Heating Oil previous week (50.9 percent)
Bloomberg Commodity Index (1.5 percent) vs Bloomberg Commodity Index previous week (0.3 percent)

 


Gasoline & Bloomberg Index top the 6-Week Strength Trends

Speculators Trend Energy Futures COT Chart
COT Strength Score Trends (or move index, calculates the 6-week changes in strength scores) showed that Gasoline (1.0 percent) leads the past six weeks trends for the energy markets and is the only positive mover at the moment.

WTI Crude (-14.7 percent) leads the downside trend scores currently with Brent Oil (-13.1 percent) as the next market with lower trend scores.

Move Statistics:
WTI Crude Oil (-14.7 percent) vs WTI Crude Oil previous week (-9.5 percent)
Brent Crude Oil (-13.1 percent) vs Brent Crude Oil previous week (8.8 percent)
Natural Gas (-10.5 percent) vs Natural Gas previous week (-5.3 percent)
Gasoline (1.0 percent) vs Gasoline previous week (-9.6 percent)
Heating Oil (-6.6 percent) vs Heating Oil previous week (-4.3 percent)
Bloomberg Commodity Index (-0.5 percent) vs Bloomberg Commodity Index previous week (-1.1 percent)


Individual COT Market Charts:

WTI Crude Oil Futures Futures:

WTI Crude Oil Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • WTI Crude Oil Futures large speculator standing this week reached a net position of 160,998 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position decrease of -11,582 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 172,580 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish with a score of 39.1 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bullish with a score of 57.0 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 69.0 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Uptrend

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

WTI Crude Oil Futures StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:18.945.04.1
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:10.854.72.4
– Net Position:160,998-195,47334,475
– Gross Longs:378,088900,99782,778
– Gross Shorts:217,0901,096,47048,303
– Long to Short Ratio:1.7 to 10.8 to 11.7 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):39.157.069.0
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BearishBullishBullish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-14.715.7-11.7

 


Brent Crude Oil Futures Futures:

Brent Last Day Crude Oil Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Brent Crude Oil Futures large speculator standing this week reached a net position of -32,814 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position fall of -7,848 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -24,966 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish with a score of 34.4 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bullish with a score of 59.1 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 100.0 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Uptrend

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

Brent Crude Oil Futures StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:23.335.15.1
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:36.524.72.4
– Net Position:-32,81426,0556,759
– Gross Longs:58,11087,60312,803
– Gross Shorts:90,92461,5486,044
– Long to Short Ratio:0.6 to 11.4 to 12.1 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):34.459.1100.0
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BearishBullishBullish-Extreme
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-13.18.636.6

 


Natural Gas Futures Futures:

Natural Gas Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Natural Gas Futures large speculator standing this week reached a net position of -203,181 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position fall of -10,985 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -192,196 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish-Extreme with a score of 2.1 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 100.0 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 36.0 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Weak Downtrend

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

Natural Gas Futures StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:14.136.53.1
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:26.424.92.4
– Net Position:-203,181190,17813,003
– Gross Longs:230,515598,59451,581
– Gross Shorts:433,696408,41638,578
– Long to Short Ratio:0.5 to 11.5 to 11.3 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):2.1100.036.0
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):Bearish-ExtremeBullish-ExtremeBearish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-10.512.3-7.5

 


Gasoline Blendstock Futures Futures:

RBOB Gasoline Energy Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Gasoline Blendstock Futures large speculator standing this week reached a net position of 54,627 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position lift of 3,698 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 50,929 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish with a score of 47.5 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bearish with a score of 43.5 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 80.4 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Uptrend

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

Nasdaq Mini Futures StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:27.246.38.8
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:9.069.04.2
– Net Position:54,627-68,41713,790
– Gross Longs:81,746139,27626,365
– Gross Shorts:27,119207,69312,575
– Long to Short Ratio:3.0 to 10.7 to 12.1 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):47.543.580.4
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BearishBearishBullish-Extreme
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:1.0-2.68.1

 


#2 Heating Oil NY-Harbor Futures Futures:

NY Harbor Heating Oil Energy Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • #2 Heating Oil NY-Harbor Futures large speculator standing this week reached a net position of 2,607 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position fall of -3,036 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 5,643 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish with a score of 46.9 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bearish with a score of 38.1 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 92.6 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Uptrend

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

Heating Oil Futures StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:15.544.121.3
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:14.556.210.3
– Net Position:2,607-29,85227,245
– Gross Longs:38,565109,63952,929
– Gross Shorts:35,958139,49125,684
– Long to Short Ratio:1.1 to 10.8 to 12.1 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):46.938.192.6
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BearishBearishBullish-Extreme
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-6.6-0.515.2

 


Bloomberg Commodity Index Futures Futures:

Bloomberg Commodity Index Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Bloomberg Commodity Index Futures large speculator standing this week reached a net position of -75,263 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position advance of 1,152 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -76,415 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish-Extreme with a score of 1.5 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 98.6 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 62.8 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Uptrend

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

Bloomberg Index Futures StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:43.455.80.2
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:74.624.80.0
– Net Position:-75,26374,793470
– Gross Longs:104,841134,793509
– Gross Shorts:180,10460,00039
– Long to Short Ratio:0.6 to 12.2 to 113.1 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):1.598.662.8
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):Bearish-ExtremeBullish-ExtremeBullish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-0.50.6-7.5

 


Article By InvestMacroReceive our weekly COT Reports by Email

*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.

All information and opinions on this website and contained in this article are for general informational purposes only and do not constitute investment advice.

COT Soft Commodities Charts: Speculator Changes led by Coffee

By InvestMacro 

Speculators OI Softs
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 May 26th 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 Coffee

Speculators Nets Softs
The COT soft commodities markets speculator bets were overall lower this week as just one out of the eleven softs markets we cover had higher positioning while the other ten markets had lower speculator contracts.

The only market with a gain for the softs markets this week was Coffee with a small increase by 671 contracts.

The markets with the declines in speculator bets this week were Corn (-56,100 contracts) with Soybean Oil (-16,534 contracts), Lean Hogs (-16,412 contracts), Wheat (-9,721 contracts) and Soybeans (-7,563 contracts), Soybean Meal (-5,147 contracts), Cotton (-4,796 contracts), Live Cattle (-4,053 contracts), Sugar (-841 contracts) and with Cocoa (-752 contracts) also registering lower bets on the week.

Soft Commodities price performance was led by Soybean Oil and Cocoa

The past five days price performances for the Soft Commodities markets were led by Soybean Oil, which rose by 3.83% for the week, and was followed up by Cocoa, which rose by 3.56% on the week. These were the only two markets that had higher five-day performances.

On the downside, Live Cattle was lower by -0.23%, followed by Lean Hogs which saw a dip by -0.52%. Next, Soybean Oil was lower by -0.63%, while Soybeans was close behind with a -0.81% decline.

Cotton saw lower levels by -1.64% on the week, while Coffee was down by over -2.5% with a -2.74% decrease. Corn dropped by more than -3% with a -3.56% shortfall, followed by Wheat, which decreased by -4.73% on the week.

Finally, Sugar was the biggest decliner on the week with a -5.57% drop.


Soft Commodities Data:

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


Strength Scores led by Soybean Meal & Wheat

Speculators Strength Softs
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 Soybean Meal (98 percent) and Wheat (91 percent) lead the softs markets this week. Cotton (91 percent), Soybeans (89 percent) and Soybean Oil (88 percent) come in as the next highest in the weekly strength scores.

On the downside, Lean Hogs (7 percent) and Cocoa (7 percent) come in at the lowest strength levels currently and are in Extreme-Bearish territory (below 20 percent). The next lowest strength scores are the Sugar (34 percent) and the Coffee (40 percent).

Strength Statistics:
Corn (77.3 percent) vs Corn previous week (84.9 percent)
Sugar (33.8 percent) vs Sugar previous week (33.9 percent)
Coffee (39.9 percent) vs Coffee previous week (39.2 percent)
Soybeans (89.1 percent) vs Soybeans previous week (90.7 percent)
Soybean Oil (87.8 percent) vs Soybean Oil previous week (94.5 percent)
Soybean Meal (97.9 percent) vs Soybean Meal previous week (100.0 percent)
Live Cattle (63.5 percent) vs Live Cattle previous week (67.5 percent)
Lean Hogs (7.2 percent) vs Lean Hogs previous week (19.2 percent)
Cotton (91.2 percent) vs Cotton previous week (94.1 percent)
Cocoa (6.6 percent) vs Cocoa previous week (7.3 percent)
Wheat (91.3 percent) vs Wheat previous week (99.5 percent)


Sugar & Cotton top the 6-Week Strength Trends

Speculators Trend Softs
COT Strength Score Trends (or move index, calculates the 6-week changes in strength scores) showed that Sugar (11 percent) and Cotton (11 percent) lead the past six weeks trends for soft commodities. Corn (7 percent), Wheat (7 percent) and Cocoa (6 percent) are the next highest positive movers in the latest trends data.

Lean Hogs (-45 percent) leads the downside trend scores currently with Live Cattle (-19 percent), Coffee (-6 percent) and Soybean Oil (-2 percent) following next with lower trend scores.

Strength Trend Statistics:
Corn (7.2 percent) vs Corn previous week (9.2 percent)
Sugar (10.7 percent) vs Sugar previous week (-1.6 percent)
Coffee (-6.2 percent) vs Coffee previous week (-5.8 percent)
Soybeans (0.7 percent) vs Soybeans previous week (0.8 percent)
Soybean Oil (-2.2 percent) vs Soybean Oil previous week (4.0 percent)
Soybean Meal (1.0 percent) vs Soybean Meal previous week (17.4 percent)
Live Cattle (-18.6 percent) vs Live Cattle previous week (-13.0 percent)
Lean Hogs (-45.1 percent) vs Lean Hogs previous week (-39.2 percent)
Cotton (10.7 percent) vs Cotton previous week (18.5 percent)
Cocoa (5.7 percent) vs Cocoa previous week (5.9 percent)
Wheat (7.5 percent) vs Wheat previous week (15.9 percent)


Individual Soft Commodities Markets:

CORN Futures:

CORN Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • CORN large speculator standing this week reached a net position of 302,002 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position decline of -56,100 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 358,102 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish with a score of 77.3 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bearish with a score of 22.1 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 45.0 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Weak Uptrend

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

CORN Futures StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:28.041.57.2
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:11.853.910.9
– Net Position:302,002-231,519-70,483
– Gross Longs:521,725773,197133,362
– Gross Shorts:219,7231,004,716203,845
– Long to Short Ratio:2.4 to 10.8 to 10.7 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):77.322.145.0
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BullishBearishBearish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:7.2-4.4-20.2

 


SUGAR Futures:

SUGAR Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • SUGAR large speculator standing this week reached a net position of -79,750 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position decline of -841 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -78,909 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish with a score of 33.8 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bullish with a score of 67.5 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 33.9 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Strong Downtrend

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

SUGAR Futures StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:24.750.78.3
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:32.942.68.1
– Net Position:-79,75078,2921,458
– Gross Longs:238,727490,87779,967
– Gross Shorts:318,477412,58578,509
– Long to Short Ratio:0.7 to 11.2 to 11.0 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):33.867.533.9
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BearishBullishBearish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:10.7-9.6-0.1

 


COFFEE Futures:

COFFEE Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • COFFEE large speculator standing this week reached a net position of 16,631 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position gain of 671 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 15,960 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish with a score of 39.9 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bullish with a score of 62.0 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 17.7 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Downtrend

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

COFFEE Futures StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:27.738.64.1
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:19.147.24.1
– Net Position:16,631-16,766135
– Gross Longs:53,57474,6697,985
– Gross Shorts:36,94391,4357,850
– Long to Short Ratio:1.5 to 10.8 to 11.0 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):39.962.017.7
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BearishBullishBearish-Extreme
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-6.25.017.7

 


SOYBEANS Futures:

SOYBEANS Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • SOYBEANS large speculator standing this week reached a net position of 204,675 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position decline of -7,563 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 212,238 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish-Extreme with a score of 89.1 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 12.2 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 25.2 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Uptrend

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

SOYBEANS Futures StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:27.847.25.0
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:7.864.47.7
– Net Position:204,675-176,610-28,065
– Gross Longs:285,330484,90451,229
– Gross Shorts:80,655661,51479,294
– Long to Short Ratio:3.5 to 10.7 to 10.6 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):89.112.225.2
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):Bullish-ExtremeBearish-ExtremeBearish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:0.7-0.82.1

 


SOYBEAN OIL Futures:

SOYBEAN OIL Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • SOYBEAN OIL large speculator standing this week reached a net position of 141,573 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position decrease of -16,534 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 158,107 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish-Extreme with a score of 87.8 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 10.7 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 87.9 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Uptrend

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

SOYBEAN OIL Futures StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:28.245.75.8
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:8.567.43.9
– Net Position:141,573-155,54513,972
– Gross Longs:202,640328,33741,978
– Gross Shorts:61,067483,88228,006
– Long to Short Ratio:3.3 to 10.7 to 11.5 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):87.810.787.9
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):Bullish-ExtremeBearish-ExtremeBullish-Extreme
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-2.20.816.2

 


SOYBEAN MEAL Futures:

SOYBEAN MEAL Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • SOYBEAN MEAL large speculator standing this week reached a net position of 154,594 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position decline of -5,147 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 159,741 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish-Extreme with a score of 97.9 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 1.1 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 90.8 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Uptrend

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

SOYBEAN MEAL Futures StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:32.140.68.5
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:7.669.24.4
– Net Position:154,594-180,95826,364
– Gross Longs:202,878256,64354,085
– Gross Shorts:48,284437,60127,721
– Long to Short Ratio:4.2 to 10.6 to 12.0 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):97.91.190.8
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):Bullish-ExtremeBearish-ExtremeBullish-Extreme
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:1.0-3.130.6

 


LIVE CATTLE Futures:

LIVE CATTLE Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • LIVE CATTLE large speculator standing this week reached a net position of 86,836 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position fall of -4,053 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 90,889 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish with a score of 63.5 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bearish with a score of 30.5 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 57.9 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Weak Uptrend

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

LIVE CATTLE Futures StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:43.430.38.1
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:18.651.911.4
– Net Position:86,836-75,333-11,503
– Gross Longs:151,778106,19328,220
– Gross Shorts:64,942181,52639,723
– Long to Short Ratio:2.3 to 10.6 to 10.7 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):63.530.557.9
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BullishBearishBullish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-18.619.110.4

 


LEAN HOGS Futures:

LEAN HOGS Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • LEAN HOGS large speculator standing this week reached a net position of -23,609 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position decrease of -16,412 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -7,197 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish-Extreme with a score of 7.2 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 93.2 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 75.7 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Uptrend

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

LEAN HOGS Futures StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:24.841.07.3
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:32.033.27.9
– Net Position:-23,60925,553-1,944
– Gross Longs:80,782133,80223,805
– Gross Shorts:104,391108,24925,749
– Long to Short Ratio:0.8 to 11.2 to 10.9 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):7.293.275.7
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):Bearish-ExtremeBullish-ExtremeBullish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-45.143.333.6

 


COTTON Futures:

COTTON Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • COTTON large speculator standing this week reached a net position of 87,674 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position decline of -4,796 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 92,470 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish-Extreme with a score of 91.2 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 11.0 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 68.1 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Strong Uptrend

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

COTTON Futures StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:41.034.75.6
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:14.563.92.8
– Net Position:87,674-96,7519,077
– Gross Longs:135,684114,88418,439
– Gross Shorts:48,010211,6359,362
– Long to Short Ratio:2.8 to 10.5 to 12.0 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):91.211.068.1
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):Bullish-ExtremeBearish-ExtremeBullish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:10.7-8.1-16.1

 


COCOA Futures:

COCOA Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • COCOA large speculator standing this week reached a net position of -16,240 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position fall of -752 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -15,488 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish-Extreme with a score of 6.6 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 93.9 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 36.3 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Weak Downtrend

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

COCOA Futures StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:20.352.05.2
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:28.344.54.7
– Net Position:-16,24015,291949
– Gross Longs:41,108105,54410,501
– Gross Shorts:57,34890,2539,552
– Long to Short Ratio:0.7 to 11.2 to 11.1 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):6.693.936.3
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):Bearish-ExtremeBullish-ExtremeBearish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:5.7-5.6-0.3

 


WHEAT Futures:

WHEAT Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • WHEAT large speculator standing this week reached a net position of -9,458 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position fall of -9,721 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 263 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish-Extreme with a score of 91.3 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 9.1 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 63.8 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Uptrend

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

WHEAT Futures StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:29.733.47.7
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:31.631.97.3
– Net Position:-9,4587,5301,928
– Gross Longs:144,186162,35737,621
– Gross Shorts:153,644154,82735,693
– Long to Short Ratio:0.9 to 11.0 to 11.1 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):91.39.163.8
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):Bullish-ExtremeBearish-ExtremeBullish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:7.5-7.6-1.1

 


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*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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Australian Dollar Speculators continue to raise Bullish Bets for 4th straight week

By InvestMacro 

Speculators OI FX Futures COT Chart

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 19th and shows a quick view of how large market participants (for-profit speculators and commercial traders) were positioned in the futures markets. All currency positions are in direct relation to the US dollar where, for example, a bet for the euro is a bet that the euro will rise versus the dollar while a bet against the euro will be a bet that the euro will decline versus the dollar.

Weekly Speculator Changes led by Brazilian Real

Speculators Nets FX Futures COT Chart
The COT currency market speculator bets were overall lower this week as just three out of the eleven currency markets we cover had higher positioning while the other eight markets had lower speculator contracts.

Leading the gains for the currency markets was the Brazilian Real (2,459 contracts) with Bitcoin (853 contracts) and the Australian Dollar (654 contracts) also showing positive weeks.

The currencies seeing declines in speculator bets on the week were the British Pound (-21,248 contracts), the Japanese Yen (-18,803 contracts), the Canadian Dollar (-14,989 contracts), the EuroFX (-6,687 contracts), the US Dollar Index (-3,666 contracts), the New Zealand Dollar (-1,463 contracts), the Mexican Peso (-1,841 contracts) and with the Swiss Franc (-740 contracts) also registering lower bets on the week.

Australian Dollar speculators continue to raise bullish bets for 4th straight week

Highlighting this week’s Currency market speculator positioning is the Australian Dollar’s continued speculator strength. The currency speculators raised their Australian Dollar bets very modestly by just 654 contracts, but have now pushed AUD bets higher for a fourth consecutive week—and for the 20th time out of the past 24 weeks—illustrating the recent strength for speculators in the Australian Dollar. In these past 24 weeks, the Australian Dollar has surged by almost +170,000 net contracts, going from a total position of -83,393 contracts on December 2nd to this week’s position of +85,644 net contracts. This week’s position is now the highest level for the Australian Dollar standing since 2013 and not far off from the all-time record, which was a total of 103,376 contracts on December 11th of 2012. In the Forex markets, the Australian Dollar against the US Dollar has recently traded at four-year highs but has now dipped for two consecutive weeks. Currently, the AUD is trading at 0.7135, with major support at 0.7100 sitting below while recent highs were capped by resistance above around 0.7270.

The British Pound Sterling fell sharply this week by over -21,000 contracts, and has now has fallen for three out of the past four weeks. This weakness has pushed the overall net speculator position to the most bearish level of the past nine weeks. In the Foreign Exchange market, the GBPUSD currency pair has been consolidating in sideways trading action for over a year against the USD, with support at the 1.3030 level and overhead resistance at the 1.3700 level. Currently, the price is right in the middle of that sideways channel at about 1.3447.

The Japanese Yen also saw lower levels in speculator bets this week by over -18,000 contracts. The speculator position for the Yen has been deteriorating since having a couple of weeks in bullish territory in February and has now seen speculator positions fall in 10 out of the past 13 weeks, with this week’s net speculator standing totaling -93,905 contracts. In the Foreign Exchange market, the Yen has fallen for three consecutive weeks following the Bank of Japan’s intervention to prop up the Yen in late April. The price is approaching those same levels where the BOJ intervened, and it will be interesting looking forward as the market tests the BOJ resolve once again.

The Canadian Dollar speculator bets fell this week by over -14,000 contracts and have fallen for two straight weeks. The CAD speculator position has now fallen in seven out of the past 10 weeks and right now, the Canadian Dollar’s overall speculator standing sits at -31,231 net contracts. In the Forex markets, the Canadian Dollar has declined for three consecutive weeks against the US Dollar and has fallen below its 200-weekly moving average. The CAD, however, continues to trade in an ascending triangle pattern, which has not broken to the downside or the upside yet and will likely resolve itself in the coming weeks.

The US Dollar Index speculator positions dropped this week by -3,666 contracts. This has flipped the US Dollar speculative position into an overall bearish position. This small bearish level represents the first bearish position since March 10th, a span of 10 weeks and signals an overall neutral position in the big scheme of things. In the Foreign Exchange markets, the US Dollar Index has remained in its trading range for basically one full year with a price of 100.00 on the upside and a lower support level of 96.50 representing the bottom of the trading range. At the moment, the US Dollar Index positioning is closer the top of the trading range at a closing price on the week of 99.01.

The British Pound Sterling topped Currency Market price performance.

Price performances for the Currency Markets on the week were led by the British Pound, which rose by almost 1% with a 0.94% 5-Day increase. The Brazilian Real came in second with a 0.72% rise and was followed by the New Zealand Dollar, which saw an uptick by 0.33%.

Next up, the Swiss Franc was modestly higher by 0.30% and was followed by the Mexican Peso, which rounded out the gainers with a 0.18% rise.

On the downside, the Australian Dollar and the US Dollar Index were virtually unchanged with a -0.01% decline for each of those markets. The Japanese Yen was lower by -0.08%, followed by the Euro, which dipped by -0.16%, and the Canadian Dollar fell by -0.52%. The biggest decliner on the week was Bitcoin, which fell by -1.99%.


Currencies Data:

Speculators FX Futures COT Data Table
Legend: Open Interest | Speculators Current Net Position | Weekly Specs Change | Specs Strength Score compared to last 3-Years (0-100 range)


Strength Scores led by Australian Dollar & Brazilian Real

Speculators Strength Scores FX Futures COT Chart
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 Australian Dollar (100 percent) and the Brazilian Real (92 percent) lead the currency markets this week. Bitcoin (91 percent) and the Canadian Dollar (71 percent) come in as the next highest in the weekly strength scores.

On the downside, the British Pound (12 percent) and the New Zealand Dollar (18 percent) come in at the lowest strength levels currently and are in Extreme-Bearish territory (below 20 percent). The next lowest strength scores are the Japanese Yen (25 percent) and the Swiss Franc (26 percent).

3-Year Strength Statistics:
US Dollar Index (42.8 percent) vs US Dollar Index previous week (52.7 percent)
EuroFX (42.6 percent) vs EuroFX previous week (45.2 percent)
British Pound Sterling (12.3 percent) vs British Pound Sterling previous week (21.3 percent)
Japanese Yen (24.9 percent) vs Japanese Yen previous week (30.0 percent)
Swiss Franc (26.0 percent) vs Swiss Franc previous week (27.5 percent)
Canadian Dollar (71.0 percent) vs Canadian Dollar previous week (77.5 percent)
Australian Dollar (100.0 percent) vs Australian Dollar previous week (99.7 percent)
New Zealand Dollar (18.5 percent) vs New Zealand Dollar previous week (20.1 percent)
Mexican Peso (45.2 percent) vs Mexican Peso previous week (46.5 percent)
Brazilian Real (91.6 percent) vs Brazilian Real previous week (89.8 percent)
Bitcoin (91.5 percent) vs Bitcoin previous week (74.5 percent)


Brazilian Real & EuroFX top the 6-Week Strength Trends

Speculators Trends FX Futures COT Chart
COT Strength Score Trends (or move index, calculates the 6-week changes in strength scores) showed that the Brazilian Real (22 percent) and the EuroFX (16 percent) lead the past six weeks trends for the currencies. The Canadian Dollar (11 percent), the Australian Dollar (8 percent) and the Mexican Peso (3 percent) are the next highest positive movers in the 3-Year trends data.

The US Dollar Index (-16 percent) leads the downside trend scores currently with the Swiss Franc (-13 percent), Bitcoin (-9 percent) and the New Zealand Dollar (-5 percent) following next with lower trend scores.

3-Year Strength Trends:
US Dollar Index (-16.2 percent) vs US Dollar Index previous week (-1.3 percent)
EuroFX (16.0 percent) vs EuroFX previous week (15.5 percent)
British Pound Sterling (-3.4 percent) vs British Pound Sterling previous week (4.1 percent)
Japanese Yen (-0.0 percent) vs Japanese Yen previous week (-0.6 percent)
Swiss Franc (-12.6 percent) vs Swiss Franc previous week (-12.8 percent)
Canadian Dollar (10.5 percent) vs Canadian Dollar previous week (7.1 percent)
Australian Dollar (7.7 percent) vs Australian Dollar previous week (1.8 percent)
New Zealand Dollar (-5.2 percent) vs New Zealand Dollar previous week (-12.1 percent)
Mexican Peso (3.4 percent) vs Mexican Peso previous week (4.5 percent)
Brazilian Real (22.5 percent) vs Brazilian Real previous week (11.5 percent)
Bitcoin (-8.5 percent) vs Bitcoin previous week (-19.8 percent)


Individual COT Forex Markets:

US Dollar Index Futures:

US Dollar Index Forex Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • US Dollar Index large speculator standing this week reached a net position of -479 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position decline of -3,666 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 3,187 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish with a score of 42.8 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bullish with a score of 52.4 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 74.5 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Uptrend

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

US DOLLAR INDEX StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:52.734.39.3
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:53.938.14.3
– Net Position:-479-1,5512,030
– Gross Longs:21,40313,9203,791
– Gross Shorts:21,88215,4711,761
– Long to Short Ratio:1.0 to 10.9 to 12.2 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):42.852.474.5
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BearishBullishBullish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-16.214.015.1

 


Euro Currency Futures:

Euro Currency Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Euro Currency large speculator standing this week reached a net position of 33,513 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position decrease of -6,687 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 40,200 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish with a score of 42.6 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bullish with a score of 58.2 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 44.2 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Downtrend

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

EURO Currency StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:28.257.110.4
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:24.265.16.4
– Net Position:33,513-66,53533,022
– Gross Longs:233,251471,45386,082
– Gross Shorts:199,738537,98853,060
– Long to Short Ratio:1.2 to 10.9 to 11.6 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):42.658.244.2
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BearishBullishBearish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:16.0-11.5-16.2

 


British Pound Sterling Futures:

British Pound Sterling Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • British Pound Sterling large speculator standing this week reached a net position of -64,307 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position decrease of -21,248 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -43,059 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish-Extreme with a score of 12.3 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 87.0 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 41.8 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Downtrend

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

BRITISH POUND StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:23.866.68.8
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:46.342.610.3
– Net Position:-64,30768,698-4,391
– Gross Longs:68,075190,24425,040
– Gross Shorts:132,382121,54629,431
– Long to Short Ratio:0.5 to 11.6 to 10.9 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):12.387.041.8
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):Bearish-ExtremeBullish-ExtremeBearish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-3.42.35.1

 


Japanese Yen Futures:

Japanese Yen Forex Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Japanese Yen large speculator standing this week reached a net position of -93,905 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position lowering of -18,803 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -75,102 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish with a score of 24.9 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bullish with a score of 73.8 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 44.8 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Downtrend

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

JAPANESE YEN StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:26.957.110.0
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:50.634.39.2
– Net Position:-93,90590,7663,139
– Gross Longs:106,603226,61339,648
– Gross Shorts:200,508135,84736,509
– Long to Short Ratio:0.5 to 11.7 to 11.1 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):24.973.844.8
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BearishBullishBearish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-0.00.1-0.5

 


Swiss Franc Futures:

Swiss Franc Forex Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Swiss Franc large speculator standing this week reached a net position of -36,937 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position reduction of -740 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -36,197 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish with a score of 26.0 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bullish with a score of 75.7 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 37.1 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Downtrend

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

SWISS FRANC StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:6.083.010.7
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:41.538.120.2
– Net Position:-36,93746,775-9,838
– Gross Longs:6,28486,46411,198
– Gross Shorts:43,22139,68921,036
– Long to Short Ratio:0.1 to 12.2 to 10.5 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):26.075.737.1
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BearishBullishBearish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-12.613.2-7.8

 


Canadian Dollar Futures:

Canadian Dollar Forex Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Canadian Dollar large speculator standing this week reached a net position of -31,231 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position decline of -14,989 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -16,242 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish with a score of 71.0 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bearish with a score of 32.3 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 32.8 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Weak Uptrend

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

CANADIAN DOLLAR StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:24.859.89.6
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:35.547.611.2
– Net Position:-31,23135,724-4,493
– Gross Longs:72,674175,00928,192
– Gross Shorts:103,905139,28532,685
– Long to Short Ratio:0.7 to 11.3 to 10.9 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):71.032.332.8
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BullishBearishBearish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:10.5-9.0-5.9

 


Australian Dollar Futures:

Australian Dollar Forex Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Australian Dollar large speculator standing this week reached a net position of 85,644 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position lift of 654 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 84,990 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 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 1.0 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 90.5 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Uptrend

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

AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:50.333.313.7
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:21.969.75.7
– Net Position:85,644-109,57223,928
– Gross Longs:151,583100,42641,158
– Gross Shorts:65,939209,99817,230
– Long to Short Ratio:2.3 to 10.5 to 12.4 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):100.01.090.5
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):Bullish-ExtremeBearish-ExtremeBullish-Extreme
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:7.7-5.3-5.5

 


New Zealand Dollar Futures:

New Zealand Dollar Forex Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • New Zealand Dollar large speculator standing this week reached a net position of -40,613 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position lowering of -1,463 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -39,150 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish-Extreme with a score of 18.5 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 83.0 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 14.8 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Downtrend

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

NEW ZEALAND DOLLAR StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:13.383.13.1
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:57.236.16.2
– Net Position:-40,61343,497-2,884
– Gross Longs:12,31976,9202,879
– Gross Shorts:52,93233,4235,763
– Long to Short Ratio:0.2 to 12.3 to 10.5 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):18.583.014.8
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):Bearish-ExtremeBullish-ExtremeBearish-Extreme
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-5.27.2-24.6

 


Mexican Peso Futures:

Mexican Peso Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Mexican Peso large speculator standing this week reached a net position of 62,249 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position decrease of -1,841 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 64,090 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish with a score of 45.2 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bullish with a score of 52.5 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 50.8 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Strong Uptrend

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

MEXICAN PESO StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:46.748.14.1
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:16.281.11.6
– Net Position:62,249-67,2995,050
– Gross Longs:95,24698,0268,400
– Gross Shorts:32,997165,3253,350
– Long to Short Ratio:2.9 to 10.6 to 12.5 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):45.252.550.8
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BearishBullishBullish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:3.4-3.84.1

 


Brazilian Real Futures:

Brazil Real Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Brazilian Real large speculator standing this week reached a net position of 71,012 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position gain of 2,459 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 68,553 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish-Extreme with a score of 91.6 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 7.7 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 43.3 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Uptrend

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

BRAZIL REAL StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:73.821.63.9
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:18.979.60.8
– Net Position:71,012-74,9993,987
– Gross Longs:95,46227,9755,037
– Gross Shorts:24,450102,9741,050
– Long to Short Ratio:3.9 to 10.3 to 14.8 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):91.67.743.3
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):Bullish-ExtremeBearish-ExtremeBearish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:22.5-21.8-2.3

 


Bitcoin Futures:

Bitcoin Crypto Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Bitcoin large speculator standing this week reached a net position of 2,112 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position gain of 853 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 1,259 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish-Extreme with a score of 91.5 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 6.0 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 45.6 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Weak Downtrend

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

BITCOIN StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:77.40.95.5
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:68.210.84.8
– Net Position:2,112-2,272160
– Gross Longs:17,7912121,262
– Gross Shorts:15,6792,4841,102
– Long to Short Ratio:1.1 to 10.1 to 11.1 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):91.56.045.6
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):Bullish-ExtremeBearish-ExtremeBearish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-8.5-0.924.2

 


Article By InvestMacroReceive our weekly COT Reports by Email

*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.

All information and opinions on this website and contained in this article are for general informational purposes only and do not constitute investment advice.

Speculator Extremes: AUD, Soybean Meal & Copper lead Bullish Positions

By InvestMacro 

The latest update for the weekly Commitment of Traders (COT) report was released by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) on Friday for data ending on Tuesday May 19th.

This weekly Extreme Positions report highlights the Most Bullish and Most Bearish Positions for the speculator category and is a current snapshot of how speculators were positioned as of Tuesday. Extreme positioning in these markets can foreshadow strong moves in the underlying market.

To signify an extreme position, we use the Strength Index (also known as the COT Index) of each instrument, a common method of measuring COT data. The Strength Index is simply a comparison of current trader positions against the range of positions over the previous 3 years. We use over 80 percent as extremely bullish and under 20 percent as extremely bearish (Compare Strength Index scores across all markets in the data table or cot leaders table).

The 6-WK Trend score is the change in the Strength Index over the past 6 weeks and signals how strong and which way the Strength Index is going.


Extreme Bullish Speculator Table


Here Are This Week’s Most Bullish Speculator Positions:

Australian Dollar

Extreme Bullish Leader
The Australian Dollar speculator position comes in tied at the top of this week’s extreme standings as the AUD speculator level resides at a 100 percent score of its 3-year range.

The six-week trend for the speculator strength score came in at an advance by 8 percentage points this week. The overall speculator position was 85,644 net contracts this week with an increase of 654 contracts in the weekly speculator bets.


Speculators or Non-Commercials Notes:

Speculators, classified as non-commercial traders by the CFTC, are made up of large commodity funds, hedge funds and other significant for-profit participants. The Specs are generally regarded as trend-followers in their behavior towards price action – net speculator bets and prices tend to go in the same directions. These traders often look to buy when prices are rising and sell when prices are falling. To illustrate this point, many times speculator contracts can be found at their most extremes (bullish or bearish) when prices are also close to their highest or lowest levels.

These extreme levels can be dangerous for the large speculators as the trade is most crowded, there is less trading ammunition still sitting on the sidelines to push the trend further and prices have moved a significant distance. When the trend becomes exhausted, some speculators take profits while others look to also exit positions when prices fail to continue in the same direction. This process usually plays out over many months to years and can ultimately create a reverse effect where prices start to fall and speculators start a process of selling when prices are falling.

 


Soybean Meal

Extreme Bullish Leader
The Soybean Meal speculator position also comes in tied atop the extreme standings this week with the Soybean Meal speculator level at a 100 percent score of its 3-year range.

The six-week trend for the percent strength score was a boost by 17 percentage points this week. The speculator position registered 159,741 net contracts this week with an advance of 11,088 contracts in speculator bets.


Copper

Extreme Bullish Leader
The Copper speculator position comes in as the most bullish extreme standing this week. The Copper speculator level is currently at a 99 percent score of its 3-year range.

The six-week trend for the percent strength score totaled a gain of 32 percentage points this week. The overall net speculator position was a total of 75,886 net contracts this week with a decrease of -423 contract in the weekly speculator bets.


Wheat

Extreme Bullish Leader
The Wheat speculator position comes up number four in the extreme standings this week with the Wheat speculator level at a 99 percent score of its 3-year range.

The six-week trend for the speculator strength score totaled a lift of 16 percentage points this week and the overall speculator position was 263 net contracts this week with an addition of 14,684 contracts in the speculator bets.


Cotton

Extreme Bullish Leader
The Cotton speculator position rounds out the top five in this week’s bullish extreme standings. The Cotton speculator level sits at a 94 percent score of its 3-year range and the six-week trend for the speculator strength score was a lift of 19 percentage points this week.

The speculator position was 92,470 net contracts this week with a retreat of -9,919 contracts in the weekly speculator bets.


The Most Bearish Speculator Positions of the Week:

Extreme Bearish Speculator Table


3-Month Secured Overnight Financing Rate

Extreme Bearish Leader
The 3-Month Secured Overnight Financing Rate speculator position comes in as the most bearish extreme standing this week. The SOFR 3-Months speculator level is at a 0 percent score of its 3-year range.

The six-week trend for the speculator strength score was a fall by -41 percentage points this week. The overall speculator position was -1,473,774 net contracts this week with a decline of -330,187 contracts in the speculator bets.


Cocoa Futures

Extreme Bearish Leader
The Cocoa Futures speculator position comes in next for the most bearish extreme standing on the week. The Cocoa speculator level is at a 7 percent score of its 3-year range.

The six-week trend for the speculator strength score was a boost of 6 percentage points this week while the speculator position was -15,488 net contracts this week with a fall of -2,507 contracts in the weekly speculator bets.


Natural Gas

Extreme Bearish Leader
The Natural Gas speculator position comes in as third most bearish extreme standing of the week. The Natural Gas speculator level resides at a 9 percent score of its 3-year range.

The six-week trend for the speculator strength score was a decline by -5 percentage points this week and the overall speculator position was -192,196 net contracts this week with a decrease of -15,890 contracts in the speculator bets.


British Pound

Extreme Bearish Leader
The British Pound speculator position comes in as this week’s fourth most bearish extreme standing. The GBP speculator level is at a 12 percent score of its 3-year range.

The six-week trend for the speculator strength score was a decline of -3 percentage points this week. The speculator position was -64,307 net contracts this week with a reduction of -21,248 contracts in the weekly speculator bets.


New Zealand Dollar

Extreme Bearish Leader
Next, the New Zealand Dollar speculator position comes in as the fifth most bearish extreme standing for this week. The NZD speculator level is at a 18 percent score of its 3-year range.

The six-week trend for the speculator strength score was a decline of -5 percentage points this week. The speculator position was -40,613 net contracts this week with a decrease of -1,463 contracts in the weekly speculator bets.


Article By InvestMacroReceive our weekly COT Reports by Email

*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.

All information and opinions on this website and contained in this article are for general informational purposes only and do not constitute investment advice.

COT Metals Charts: Weekly Metals Speculator Bets lower across the board

By InvestMacro 

Metals Open Interest COT Chart
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 19th and shows a quick view of how large traders (for-profit speculators and commercial entities) were positioned in the futures markets.

Weekly Metals Speculator Bets lower across the board

Metals Net Positions COT Chart
The COT metals markets speculator bets were overall lower this week as all of the six metals markets we cover had lower positioning.

Leading the declines in speculator bets for the week was Gold (-11,789 contracts) with Platinum (-2,804 contracts) and Silver (-1,440 contracts), Palladium (-582 contracts), Copper (-423 contracts) and Steel (-350 contracts) also having lower bets on the week.

The metals markets speculator positions continue to cool off after a roaring start to the year that had seen record high price levels almost across the board for the metals. Copper and Steel continue to have strong speculative positions as well as strong price trends. These two markets remain in extreme bullish strength levels (above 80%) currently (which shows their current levels across a range of the past three years) while the other precious metals (gold, silver, platinum, palladium) have seen their speculator bets come down as well as their price levels have come back down to earth in the second quarter.

Copper leads the Metals Market price performance.

Copper was the leading gainer for the Precious Metals price performance this week with a 2.38% gain. Steel came in next with a 0.65% uptick while Silver rounded out the gainers with a 0.62% rise.

On the downside, Gold was lower by less than a percent with a -0.80% decrease and was followed by Platinum which fell by -1.88%. Palladium was the biggest decliner over the past five days with a -3.34% drop.


Metals Data:

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


Strength Scores led by Copper & Steel

Metals Strength Scores COT Chart
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 Copper (100 percent) and Steel (84 percent) lead the metals markets this week.

On the downside, Silver (28 percent) and Gold (36 percent) come in at the lowest strength level currently.

Strength Statistics:
Gold (36.2 percent) vs Gold previous week (41.1 percent)
Silver (28.3 percent) vs Silver previous week (30.8 percent)
Copper (99.6 percent) vs Copper previous week (100.0 percent)
Platinum (55.8 percent) vs Platinum previous week (62.8 percent)
Palladium (75.4 percent) vs Palladium previous week (79.3 percent)
Steel (84.2 percent) vs Steel previous week (85.9 percent)


Copper & Silver top the 6-Week Strength Trends

Metals Trends COT Chart
COT Strength Score Trends (or move index, calculates the 6-week changes in strength scores) showed that Copper (32 percent) and Silver (2 percent) lead the past six weeks trends for metals. Gold (1.4 percent) is the next highest positive mover in the latest trends data.

Palladium (-7 percent) leads the downside trend scores currently with Steel (-1 percent) as the next market with lower trend scores.

Move Statistics:
Gold (1.4 percent) vs Gold previous week (3.5 percent)
Silver (2.1 percent) vs Silver previous week (3.7 percent)
Copper (31.8 percent) vs Copper previous week (32.3 percent)
Platinum (-0.3 percent) vs Platinum previous week (11.0 percent)
Palladium (-7.3 percent) vs Palladium previous week (-5.7 percent)
Steel (-1.1 percent) vs Steel previous week (2.5 percent)


Individual Markets:

Gold Comex Futures Futures:

Gold Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Gold Comex Futures large speculator standing this week resulted in a net position of 159,833 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position fall of -11,789 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 171,622 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 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 59.4 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 58.9 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Downtrend

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

Gold Futures StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:55.618.312.4
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:13.568.84.0
– Net Position:159,833-191,62931,796
– Gross Longs:211,01869,52047,082
– Gross Shorts:51,185261,14915,286
– Long to Short Ratio:4.1 to 10.3 to 13.1 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):36.259.458.9
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BearishBullishBullish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:1.40.9-16.5

 


Silver Comex Futures Futures:

Silver Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Silver Comex Futures large speculator standing this week resulted in a net position of 24,671 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position lowering of -1,440 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 26,111 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish with a score of 28.3 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bullish with a score of 69.0 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 51.8 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Downtrend

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

Silver Futures StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:34.326.926.2
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:9.869.38.4
– Net Position:24,671-42,66817,997
– Gross Longs:34,59127,10826,423
– Gross Shorts:9,92069,7768,426
– Long to Short Ratio:3.5 to 10.4 to 13.1 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):28.369.051.8
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BearishBullishBullish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:2.1-6.013.8

 


Copper Grade #1 Futures Futures:

Copper Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Copper Grade #1 Futures large speculator standing this week resulted in a net position of 75,886 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position fall of -423 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 76,309 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish-Extreme with a score of 99.6 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 1.4 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 64.0 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Strong Uptrend

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

Copper Futures StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:41.732.47.2
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:12.265.53.4
– Net Position:75,886-85,4999,613
– Gross Longs:107,48383,51118,455
– Gross Shorts:31,597169,0108,842
– Long to Short Ratio:3.4 to 10.5 to 12.1 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):99.61.464.0
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):Bullish-ExtremeBearish-ExtremeBullish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:31.8-27.9-9.1

 


Platinum Futures Futures:

Platinum Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Platinum Futures large speculator standing this week resulted in a net position of 17,908 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position decrease of -2,804 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 20,712 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish with a score of 55.8 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bearish with a score of 46.9 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 58.5 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Downtrend

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

Platinum Futures StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:41.629.313.6
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:13.166.25.3
– Net Position:17,908-23,1125,204
– Gross Longs:26,14818,4268,545
– Gross Shorts:8,24041,5383,341
– Long to Short Ratio:3.2 to 10.4 to 12.6 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):55.846.958.5
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BullishBearishBullish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-0.3-0.22.4

 


Palladium Futures Futures:

Palladium Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Palladium Futures large speculator standing this week resulted in a net position of -2,497 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position decrease of -582 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -1,915 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish with a score of 75.4 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bearish with a score of 27.2 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 52.4 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Strong Downtrend

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

Palladium Futures StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:36.240.614.9
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:50.731.59.5
– Net Position:-2,4971,563934
– Gross Longs:6,2527,0072,578
– Gross Shorts:8,7495,4441,644
– Long to Short Ratio:0.7 to 11.3 to 11.6 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):75.427.252.4
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BullishBearishBullish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-7.37.3-2.9

 


Steel Futures Futures:

Steel Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Steel Futures large speculator standing this week resulted in a net position of 11,106 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position lowering of -350 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 11,456 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish-Extreme with a score of 84.2 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 15.6 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 90.0 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Uptrend

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

Steel Futures StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:31.664.61.2
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:4.193.20.2
– Net Position:11,106-11,521415
– Gross Longs:12,74626,059498
– Gross Shorts:1,64037,58083
– Long to Short Ratio:7.8 to 10.7 to 16.0 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):84.215.690.0
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):Bullish-ExtremeBearish-ExtremeBullish-Extreme
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-1.10.93.3

 


Article By InvestMacroReceive our weekly COT Reports by Email

*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.

All information and opinions on this website and contained in this article are for general informational purposes only and do not constitute investment advice.

COT Bonds Charts: Speculators up 2-Year and 5-Year Bonds bets this week

By InvestMacro 

Bonds Market Open Interest Comparison
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 May 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 by 2-Year Bonds & 5-Year Bonds

Bonds Market Net Speculators Positions
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.

All the US bond markets continue to have overall negative speculator net positions at the moment, illustrating the negative views on the outlook for bond market prices. Speculators betting against bond market prices implies a viewpoint that interest rates will go higher (as prices fall, the interest rates of that market increases and vice versa).

Leading the gains for the bond markets was the 2-Year Bonds (41,775 contracts) with the 5-Year Bonds (11,629 contracts) and the SOFR 1-Month (11,594 contracts) also showing positive weeks.

The bond markets with declines in speculator bets for the week were the SOFR 3-Months (-330,187 contracts), the 10-Year Bonds (-66,885 contracts), the Fed Funds (-54,824 contracts), the Ultra 10-Year Bonds (-25,053 contracts), the Ultra Treasury Bonds (-15,470 contracts) and with the US Treasury Bonds (-5,820 contracts) also registering lower bets on the week.

The long U.S. Treasury Bond leads Bond Market price performance.

Over the past week, the U.S. Treasury Bond was the biggest gainer in the US Bond Markets with a 1.19% rise. The 10-Year Note came in second with a 0.44% increase while the Five-Year Bond was higher by 0.18%.

The 1-Month SOFR saw an uptick by 0.03%, and the 3-Month SOFR was higher by just a tick of 0.01%.

On the downside, the Fed Funds saw a -0.01% decrease while the Two-Year Bond also was a couple of ticks lower by -0.02%.


Bonds Data:

Bonds Market Speculators Data Table
Legend: Open Interest | Speculators Current Net Position | Weekly Specs Change | Specs Strength Score compared to last 3-Years (0-100 range)


Strength Scores led by 5-Year Bonds & Ultra 10-Year Bonds

Bonds Market Strength Index Comparison
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 5-Year Bonds (77 percent) and the Ultra 10-Year Bonds (77 percent) lead the bond markets this week. The Ultra Treasury Bonds (76 percent) comes in as the next highest in the weekly strength scores.

On the downside, the SOFR 3-Months (0.0 percent) comes in at the lowest strength level currently and is in Extreme-Bearish territory (below 20 percent). The next lowest strength scores were the US Treasury Bonds (21 percent) and the 2-Year Bonds (22 percent).

Strength Statistics:
Fed Funds (42.1 percent) vs Fed Funds previous week (49.9 percent)
2-Year Bond (21.7 percent) vs 2-Year Bond previous week (16.7 percent)
5-Year Bond (77.3 percent) vs 5-Year Bond previous week (76.6 percent)
10-Year Bond (35.4 percent) vs 10-Year Bond previous week (43.4 percent)
Ultra 10-Year Bond (77.1 percent) vs Ultra 10-Year Bond previous week (83.7 percent)
US Treasury Bond (21.2 percent) vs US Treasury Bond previous week (23.2 percent)
Ultra US Treasury Bond (75.7 percent) vs Ultra US Treasury Bond previous week (81.5 percent)
SOFR 1-Month (53.5 percent) vs SOFR 1-Month previous week (51.4 percent)
SOFR 3-Months (0.0 percent) vs SOFR 3-Months previous week (14.7 percent)


2-Year Bonds & 5-Year Bonds top the 6-Week Strength Trends

Bonds Market Trend Index Comparison
COT Strength Score Trends (or move index, calculates the 6-week changes in strength scores) showed that the 2-Year Bonds (18 percent) and the 5-Year Bonds (12 percent) lead the past six weeks trends for bonds. The Ultra 10-Year Bonds (12 percent) are the next highest positive movers in the latest trends data.

The US Treasury Bond (-41.6 percent) leads the downside trend scores currently with the SOFR 3-Months (-41 percent) following next with lower trend scores.

Strength Trend Statistics:
Fed Funds (-3.2 percent) vs Fed Funds previous week (1.2 percent)
2-Year Bond (18.0 percent) vs 2-Year Bond previous week (4.1 percent)
5-Year Bond (11.7 percent) vs 5-Year Bond previous week (13.0 percent)
10-Year Bond (-2.9 percent) vs 10-Year Bond previous week (0.3 percent)
Ultra 10-Year Bond (12.2 percent) vs Ultra 10-Year Bond previous week (20.3 percent)
US Treasury Bond (-41.6 percent) vs US Treasury Bond previous week (-49.1 percent)
Ultra US Treasury Bond (2.2 percent) vs Ultra US Treasury Bond previous week (10.9 percent)
SOFR 1-Month (-14.2 percent) vs SOFR 1-Month previous week (-14.7 percent)
SOFR 3-Months (-40.5 percent) vs SOFR 3-Months previous week (-24.7 percent)


30-Day Federal Funds Futures:

Federal Funds 30-Day Bonds Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • 30-Day Federal Funds large speculator standing this week resulted in a net position of -96,824 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position reduction of -54,824 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -42,000 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish with a score of 42.1 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bullish with a score of 57.6 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 61.5 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Weak Uptrend

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

30-Day Federal Funds StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:10.967.12.2
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:16.062.41.8
– Net Position:-96,82489,1937,631
– Gross Longs:208,0711,279,49742,560
– Gross Shorts:304,8951,190,30434,929
– Long to Short Ratio:0.7 to 11.1 to 11.2 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):42.157.661.5
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BearishBullishBullish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-3.24.2-13.6

 


Secured Overnight Financing Rate (3-Month) Futures:

SOFR 3-Months Bonds Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Secured Overnight Financing Rate (3-Month) large speculator standing this week resulted in a net position of -1,473,774 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position reduction of -330,187 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -1,143,587 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 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.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 39.4 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Weak Uptrend

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

SOFR 3-Months StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:12.563.70.3
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:23.552.70.3
– Net Position:-1,473,7741,474,436-662
– Gross Longs:1,674,5838,525,81837,330
– Gross Shorts:3,148,3577,051,38237,992
– Long to Short Ratio:0.5 to 11.2 to 11.0 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):0.0100.039.4
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):Bearish-ExtremeBullish-ExtremeBearish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-40.540.7-2.0

 


Secured Overnight Financing Rate (1-Month) Futures:

SOFR 1-Month Bonds Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Secured Overnight Financing Rate (1-Month) large speculator standing this week resulted in a net position of -139,037 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position lift of 11,594 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -150,631 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish with a score of 53.5 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bearish with a score of 46.5 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 66.4 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Uptrend

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

SOFR 1-Month StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:20.865.20.0
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:30.555.50.0
– Net Position:-139,037139,261-224
– Gross Longs:297,504932,468192
– Gross Shorts:436,541793,207416
– Long to Short Ratio:0.7 to 11.2 to 10.5 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):53.546.566.4
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BullishBearishBullish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-14.214.2-0.6

 


2-Year Treasury Note Futures:

2-Year Treasury Bonds Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • 2-Year Treasury Note large speculator standing this week resulted in a net position of -1,560,837 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position increase of 41,775 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -1,602,612 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish with a score of 21.7 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 81.4 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 0.0 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Strong Downtrend

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

2-Year Treasury Note StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:9.978.64.6
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:41.548.33.3
– Net Position:-1,560,8371,498,14262,695
– Gross Longs:487,2953,881,287226,572
– Gross Shorts:2,048,1322,383,145163,877
– Long to Short Ratio:0.2 to 11.6 to 11.4 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):21.781.40.0
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BearishBullish-ExtremeBearish-Extreme
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:18.0-16.1-6.2

 


5-Year Treasury Note Futures:

5-Year Treasury Bonds Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • 5-Year Treasury Note large speculator standing this week resulted in a net position of -1,350,516 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position gain of 11,629 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -1,362,145 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish with a score of 77.3 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bearish with a score of 30.9 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 0.0 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 StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:10.077.76.3
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:29.357.86.8
– Net Position:-1,350,5161,382,881-32,365
– Gross Longs:694,4125,418,755438,786
– Gross Shorts:2,044,9284,035,874471,151
– Long to Short Ratio:0.3 to 11.3 to 10.9 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):77.330.90.0
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BullishBearishBearish-Extreme
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:11.7-6.9-32.2

 


10-Year Treasury Note Futures:

10-Year Treasury Notes Bonds Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • 10-Year Treasury Note large speculator standing this week resulted in a net position of -848,052 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position fall of -66,885 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -781,167 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish with a score of 35.4 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bullish with a score of 71.3 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 42.2 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 StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:9.774.87.4
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:24.261.46.3
– Net Position:-848,052786,27561,777
– Gross Longs:566,2074,366,133430,774
– Gross Shorts:1,414,2593,579,858368,997
– Long to Short Ratio:0.4 to 11.2 to 11.2 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):35.471.342.2
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BearishBullishBearish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-2.9-1.818.4

 


Ultra 10-Year Notes Futures:

Ultra 10-Year Treasury Notes Bonds Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Ultra 10-Year Notes large speculator standing this week resulted in a net position of -114,954 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position decrease of -25,053 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -89,901 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish with a score of 77.1 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bearish with a score of 37.4 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 12.3 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Strong Downtrend

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

Ultra 10-Year Notes StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:10.179.28.5
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:14.570.213.1
– Net Position:-114,954235,846-120,892
– Gross Longs:263,7822,071,478221,012
– Gross Shorts:378,7361,835,632341,904
– Long to Short Ratio:0.7 to 11.1 to 10.6 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):77.137.412.3
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BullishBearishBearish-Extreme
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:12.2-8.8-10.6

 


US Treasury Bonds Futures:

US Year Treasury Notes Long Bonds Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • US Treasury Bonds large speculator standing this week resulted in a net position of -178,674 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position decline of -5,820 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -172,854 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish with a score of 21.2 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bullish with a score of 74.6 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 27.6 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Strong Downtrend

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

US Treasury Bonds StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:9.776.012.5
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:19.270.08.9
– Net Position:-178,674111,29867,376
– Gross Longs:182,9421,427,336234,918
– Gross Shorts:361,6161,316,038167,542
– Long to Short Ratio:0.5 to 11.1 to 11.4 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):21.274.627.6
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BearishBullishBearish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-41.639.9-25.1

 


Ultra US Treasury Bonds Futures:

Ultra US Year Treasury Notes Long Bonds Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Ultra US Treasury Bonds large speculator standing this week resulted in a net position of -254,464 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position decline of -15,470 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -238,994 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish with a score of 75.7 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bearish with a score of 43.3 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 5.2 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 StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:5.582.37.6
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:15.671.98.0
– Net Position:-254,464264,146-9,682
– Gross Longs:139,9362,087,342192,061
– Gross Shorts:394,4001,823,196201,743
– Long to Short Ratio:0.4 to 11.1 to 11.0 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):75.743.35.2
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BullishBearishBearish-Extreme
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:2.21.1-8.9

 


Article By InvestMacroReceive our weekly COT Reports by Email

*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.

All information and opinions on this website and contained in this article are for general informational purposes only and do not constitute investment advice.

COT Energy Charts: Weekly Speculator Bets led by WTI Crude & Heating Oil

By InvestMacro 

Speculators OI Energy Futures COT Chart
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 19th 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 WTI Crude & Heating Oil

Speculators Nets Energy Futures COT Chart
The COT energy market speculator bets were mixed this week as three out of the six energy markets we cover had higher positioning while the other three markets had lower speculator contracts.

Leading the gains for the energy markets with a modest weekly rise was WTI Crude (2,703 contracts) with Heating Oil (2,635 contracts) and the Bloomberg Index (315 contracts) also having positive weeks.

The markets with declines in speculator bets for the week were Natural Gas (-15,890 contracts), Brent Oil (-6,932 contracts) and with Gasoline (-3,596 contracts) also seeing lower bets on the week.

Energy Markets price performance lower across the board.

The Energy Markets saw lower prices across the board with all six of the markets we cover seeing weekly declines. The lowest weekly decline for the past five days was by the Bloomberg Commodity Index, which fell by -1.94%. Natural Gas came in second with a -3.61% decline, and Gasoline fell by almost -4% with a -3.96% shortfall.

Heating Oil was next with a -5.42% decrease on the week, while WTI Crude Oil dropped by -6.78%. Brent Oil saw the biggest decline on the week with a -7.25% drop.

All the Energy Markets have seen higher percentages over the past 30 days, with Gasoline the highest at a 16.68% increase over the past 30 days.

Natural Gas is the only market with a decline over the past 90 days as it has fallen by -16.98%. Gasoline prices are up 78.39% over the past 90 days. Heating Oil, WTI Crude Oil, and Brent Oil are all higher by over 50% in these past 90 days.


Energy Data:

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


Strength Scores led by Heating Oil

Speculators Strength Energy Futures COT Chart
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 Heating Oil (50.9 percent) leads the energy markets this week.

On the downside, the Bloomberg Commodity Index (0.3 percent) and Natural Gas (9.1 percent) come in at the lowest strength level currently and are in Extreme-Bearish territory (below 20 percent). The next lowest strength score was WTI Crude (42.8 percent).

Strength Statistics:
WTI Crude Oil (42.8 percent) vs WTI Crude Oil previous week (41.9 percent)
Brent Crude Oil (45.6 percent) vs Brent Crude Oil previous week (55.4 percent)
Natural Gas (9.1 percent) vs Natural Gas previous week (19.3 percent)
Gasoline (43.4 percent) vs Gasoline previous week (47.4 percent)
Heating Oil (50.9 percent) vs Heating Oil previous week (47.4 percent)
Bloomberg Commodity Index (0.3 percent) vs Bloomberg Commodity Index previous week (0.0 percent)

 


Brent Oil tops the 6-Week Strength Trends

Speculators Trend Energy Futures COT Chart
COT Strength Score Trends (or move index, calculates the 6-week changes in strength scores) showed that Brent Oil (8.8 percent) leads the past six weeks trends for the energy markets and was the only positive mover in the latest trends data.

Gasoline (-9.6 percent) and WTI Crude (-9.5 percent) lead the downside trend scores currently with Natural Gas (-5.3 percent) as the next market with lower trend scores.

Move Statistics:
WTI Crude Oil (-9.5 percent) vs WTI Crude Oil previous week (-14.1 percent)
Brent Crude Oil (8.8 percent) vs Brent Crude Oil previous week (25.4 percent)
Natural Gas (-5.3 percent) vs Natural Gas previous week (-5.7 percent)
Gasoline (-9.6 percent) vs Gasoline previous week (-15.2 percent)
Heating Oil (-4.3 percent) vs Heating Oil previous week (-9.3 percent)
Bloomberg Commodity Index (-1.1 percent) vs Bloomberg Commodity Index previous week (-100.0 percent)


Individual COT Market Charts:

WTI Crude Oil Futures Futures:

WTI Crude Oil Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • WTI Crude Oil Futures large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of 172,580 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position lift of 2,703 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 169,877 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish with a score of 42.8 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bullish with a score of 55.5 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 55.9 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Uptrend

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

WTI Crude Oil Futures StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:19.245.03.9
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:10.655.02.5
– Net Position:172,580-200,40927,829
– Gross Longs:384,294900,62578,845
– Gross Shorts:211,7141,101,03451,016
– Long to Short Ratio:1.8 to 10.8 to 11.5 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):42.855.555.9
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BearishBullishBullish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-9.59.2-1.0

 


Brent Crude Oil Futures Futures:

Brent Last Day Crude Oil Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Brent Crude Oil Futures large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of -24,966 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position decrease of -6,932 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -18,034 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish with a score of 45.6 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bullish with a score of 51.1 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 95.7 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Uptrend

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

Brent Crude Oil Futures StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:24.534.24.1
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:34.825.62.4
– Net Position:-24,96620,8294,137
– Gross Longs:59,81383,2849,907
– Gross Shorts:84,77962,4555,770
– Long to Short Ratio:0.7 to 11.3 to 11.7 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):45.651.195.7
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BearishBullishBullish-Extreme
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:8.8-10.15.7

 


Natural Gas Futures Futures:

Natural Gas Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Natural Gas Futures large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of -192,196 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position decrease of -15,890 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -176,306 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish-Extreme with a score of 9.1 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 93.3 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 48.5 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Downtrend

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

Natural Gas Futures StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:14.436.23.7
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:26.425.32.6
– Net Position:-192,196174,22417,972
– Gross Longs:230,391578,82159,864
– Gross Shorts:422,587404,59741,892
– Long to Short Ratio:0.5 to 11.4 to 11.4 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):9.193.348.5
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):Bearish-ExtremeBullish-ExtremeBearish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-5.38.0-9.9

 


Gasoline Blendstock Futures Futures:

RBOB Gasoline Energy Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Gasoline Blendstock Futures large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of 50,929 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position reduction of -3,596 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 54,525 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish with a score of 43.4 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bearish with a score of 47.6 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 78.2 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Uptrend

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

Nasdaq Mini Futures StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:25.147.48.5
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:9.167.54.3
– Net Position:50,929-64,24213,313
– Gross Longs:80,150151,61227,203
– Gross Shorts:29,221215,85413,890
– Long to Short Ratio:2.7 to 10.7 to 12.0 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):43.447.678.2
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BearishBearishBullish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-9.69.8-5.1

 


#2 Heating Oil NY-Harbor Futures Futures:

NY Harbor Heating Oil Energy Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • #2 Heating Oil NY-Harbor Futures large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of 5,643 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position gain of 2,635 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 3,008 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish with a score of 50.9 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bearish with a score of 36.3 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 89.5 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Uptrend

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

Heating Oil Futures StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:16.246.319.6
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:14.058.69.4
– Net Position:5,643-31,77626,133
– Gross Longs:41,735118,94050,371
– Gross Shorts:36,092150,71624,238
– Long to Short Ratio:1.2 to 10.8 to 12.1 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):50.936.389.5
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):BullishBearishBullish-Extreme
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-4.3-1.513.1

 


Bloomberg Commodity Index Futures Futures:

Bloomberg Commodity Index Futures COT ChartPositioning Notes:

  • Bloomberg Commodity Index Futures large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of -76,415 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday.
  • Weekly Speculator position boost of 315 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -76,730 net contracts.
  • This week’s current strength score (range over the past 3 years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish-Extreme with a score of 0.3 percent.
  • The Commercials are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 99.7 percent.
  • The Small Traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 66.0 percent.

Price Trend-Following Model: Uptrend

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

Bloomberg Index Futures StatisticsSPECULATORSCOMMERCIALSSMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:43.555.70.2
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:74.824.60.0
– Net Position:-76,41575,902513
– Gross Longs:106,216135,902538
– Gross Shorts:182,63160,00025
– Long to Short Ratio:0.6 to 12.3 to 121.5 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):0.399.766.0
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):Bearish-ExtremeBullish-ExtremeBullish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:-1.11.2-8.6

 


Article By InvestMacroReceive our weekly COT Reports by Email

*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.

All information and opinions on this website and contained in this article are for general informational purposes only and do not constitute investment advice.