By InvestMacro
Here are the latest charts and statistics for the Commitment of Traders (COT) data published by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
The latest COT data is updated through Tuesday May 13th 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 MSCI EAFE-Mini
The COT stock markets speculator bets were overall lower this week as three out of the seven stock markets we cover had higher positioning while the other four markets had lower speculator contracts.
Leading the gains for the stock markets was the MSCI EAFE-Mini (7,301 contracts) with the Nikkei 225 (2,025 contracts) and the DowJones-Mini (1,319 contracts) also showing positive weeks.
The markets with the declines in speculator bets this week were the S&P500-Mini (-45,789 contracts), the Nasdaq-Mini (-13,300 contracts), the Russell-Mini (-13,528 contracts) and with the VIX (-4,844 contracts) also registering lower bets on the week.
Stock Market Data:
Legend: Weekly Speculators Change | Speculators Current Net Position | Speculators Strength Score compared to last 3-Years (0-100 range)
Strength Scores led by Nikkei 225 & VIX
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 Nikkei 225 (96 percent) and the VIX (96 percent) lead the stock markets this week. The MSCI EAFE-Mini (93 percent) and DowJones-Mini (72 percent) come in as the next highest in the weekly strength scores.
On the downside, the S&P500-Mini (57 percent) comes in at the lowest strength level currently but is still above the 50 percent midpoint for the past 3-years.
Strength Statistics:
VIX (95.9 percent) vs VIX previous week (100.0 percent)
S&P500-Mini (57.0 percent) vs S&P500-Mini previous week (65.3 percent)
DowJones-Mini (71.9 percent) vs DowJones-Mini previous week (69.7 percent)
Nasdaq-Mini (69.5 percent) vs Nasdaq-Mini previous week (90.1 percent)
Russell2000-Mini (62.6 percent) vs Russell2000-Mini previous week (71.9 percent)
Nikkei USD (96.4 percent) vs Nikkei USD previous week (79.1 percent)
EAFE-Mini (93.1 percent) vs EAFE-Mini previous week (83.0 percent)
Nikkei 225 & MSCI EAFE-Mini top the 6-Week Strength Trends
COT Strength Score Trends (or move index, calculates the 6-week changes in strength scores) showed that the Nikkei 225 (35 percent) leads the past six weeks trends for the stock markets. The MSCI EAFE-Mini (17 percent), the DowJones-Mini (16 percent) and the VIX (14 percent) are the next highest positive movers in the latest trends data.
The S&P500-Mini (-19 percent) leads the downside trend scores currently with the Russell-Mini (-8 percent) coming in as the next market with lower trend scores.
Strength Trend Statistics:
VIX (14.0 percent) vs VIX previous week (17.0 percent)
S&P500-Mini (-18.8 percent) vs S&P500-Mini previous week (-4.2 percent)
DowJones-Mini (15.8 percent) vs DowJones-Mini previous week (16.3 percent)
Nasdaq-Mini (6.8 percent) vs Nasdaq-Mini previous week (37.4 percent)
Russell2000-Mini (-7.6 percent) vs Russell2000-Mini previous week (0.4 percent)
Nikkei USD (35.0 percent) vs Nikkei USD previous week (25.1 percent)
EAFE-Mini (17.2 percent) vs EAFE-Mini previous week (10.3 percent)
Individual Stock Market Charts:
VIX Volatility Futures:
The VIX Volatility large speculator standing this week totaled a net position of 6,099 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly fall of -4,844 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 10,943 net contracts.
This week’s current strength score (the trader positioning range over the past three years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish-Extreme with a score of 95.9 percent. The commercials are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 2.8 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 88.7 percent.
Price Trend-Following Model: Weak Uptrend
Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Weak Uptrend.
| VIX Volatility Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 23.6 | 41.3 | 13.9 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 21.4 | 44.9 | 12.4 |
| – Net Position: | 6,099 | -10,164 | 4,065 |
| – Gross Longs: | 65,347 | 114,114 | 38,350 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 59,248 | 124,278 | 34,285 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 1.1 to 1 | 0.9 to 1 | 1.1 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 95.9 | 2.8 | 88.7 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bullish-Extreme | Bearish-Extreme | Bullish-Extreme |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 14.0 | -15.0 | 9.5 |
S&P500 Mini Futures:
The S&P500 Mini large speculator standing this week totaled a net position of -122,194 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly lowering of -45,789 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -76,405 net contracts.
This week’s current strength score (the trader positioning range over the past three years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish with a score of 57.0 percent. The commercials are Bearish with a score of 44.1 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 61.3 percent.
Price Trend-Following Model: Weak Downtrend
Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Weak Downtrend.
| S&P500 Mini Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 11.4 | 74.0 | 11.8 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 17.2 | 71.1 | 8.9 |
| – Net Position: | -122,194 | 61,669 | 60,525 |
| – Gross Longs: | 243,291 | 1,572,344 | 250,278 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 365,485 | 1,510,675 | 189,753 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 0.7 to 1 | 1.0 to 1 | 1.3 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 57.0 | 44.1 | 61.3 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bullish | Bearish | Bullish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | -18.8 | 17.6 | -5.8 |
Dow Jones Mini Futures:
The Dow Jones Mini large speculator standing this week totaled a net position of 7,114 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly advance of 1,319 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 5,795 net contracts.
This week’s current strength score (the trader positioning range over the past three years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish with a score of 71.9 percent. The commercials are Bearish with a score of 32.0 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 37.0 percent.
Price Trend-Following Model: Weak Downtrend
Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Weak Downtrend.
| Dow Jones Mini Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 17.1 | 61.9 | 12.4 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 7.9 | 67.5 | 16.0 |
| – Net Position: | 7,114 | -4,300 | -2,814 |
| – Gross Longs: | 13,259 | 47,987 | 9,602 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 6,145 | 52,287 | 12,416 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 2.2 to 1 | 0.9 to 1 | 0.8 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 71.9 | 32.0 | 37.0 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bullish | Bearish | Bearish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 15.8 | -11.5 | -10.7 |
Nasdaq Mini Futures:
The Nasdaq Mini large speculator standing this week totaled a net position of 19,547 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly decline of -13,300 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 32,847 net contracts.
This week’s current strength score (the trader positioning range over the past three years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish with a score of 69.5 percent. The commercials are Bearish with a score of 42.6 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 36.5 percent.
Price Trend-Following Model: Weak Downtrend
Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Weak Downtrend.
| Nasdaq Mini Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 30.2 | 55.4 | 12.1 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 23.3 | 59.0 | 15.4 |
| – Net Position: | 19,547 | -10,153 | -9,394 |
| – Gross Longs: | 85,720 | 157,125 | 34,258 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 66,173 | 167,278 | 43,652 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 1.3 to 1 | 0.9 to 1 | 0.8 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 69.5 | 42.6 | 36.5 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bullish | Bearish | Bearish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 6.8 | 19.7 | -43.2 |
Russell 2000 Mini Futures:
The Russell 2000 Mini large speculator standing this week totaled a net position of -28,356 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly fall of -13,528 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -14,828 net contracts.
This week’s current strength score (the trader positioning range over the past three years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish with a score of 62.6 percent. The commercials are Bearish with a score of 42.9 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 17.2 percent.
Price Trend-Following Model: Weak Downtrend
Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Weak Downtrend.
| Russell 2000 Mini Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 14.0 | 75.6 | 5.2 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 20.4 | 68.6 | 5.8 |
| – Net Position: | -28,356 | 30,861 | -2,505 |
| – Gross Longs: | 62,021 | 335,022 | 23,084 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 90,377 | 304,161 | 25,589 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 0.7 to 1 | 1.1 to 1 | 0.9 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 62.6 | 42.9 | 17.2 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bullish | Bearish | Bearish-Extreme |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | -7.6 | 13.5 | -30.6 |
Nikkei Stock Average (USD) Futures:
The Nikkei Stock Average (USD) large speculator standing this week totaled a net position of 1,904 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly lift of 2,025 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -121 net contracts.
This week’s current strength score (the trader positioning range over the past three years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish-Extreme with a score of 96.4 percent. The commercials are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 15.4 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 37.1 percent.
Price Trend-Following Model: Weak Uptrend
Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Weak Uptrend.
| Nikkei Stock Average Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 20.3 | 60.5 | 19.2 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 2.5 | 75.4 | 22.1 |
| – Net Position: | 1,904 | -1,590 | -314 |
| – Gross Longs: | 2,169 | 6,480 | 2,056 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 265 | 8,070 | 2,370 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 8.2 to 1 | 0.8 to 1 | 0.9 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 96.4 | 15.4 | 37.1 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bullish-Extreme | Bearish-Extreme | Bearish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 35.0 | -26.7 | -5.5 |
MSCI EAFE Mini Futures:
The MSCI EAFE Mini large speculator standing this week totaled a net position of 2,709 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly advance of 7,301 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -4,592 net contracts.
This week’s current strength score (the trader positioning range over the past three years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish-Extreme with a score of 93.1 percent. The commercials are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 15.9 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 46.2 percent.
Price Trend-Following Model: Strong Uptrend
Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Strong Uptrend.
| MSCI EAFE Mini Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 9.0 | 88.4 | 2.4 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 8.4 | 90.3 | 1.1 |
| – Net Position: | 2,709 | -8,568 | 5,859 |
| – Gross Longs: | 41,277 | 406,707 | 10,913 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 38,568 | 415,275 | 5,054 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 1.1 to 1 | 1.0 to 1 | 2.2 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 93.1 | 15.9 | 46.2 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bullish-Extreme | Bearish-Extreme | Bearish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 17.2 | -11.2 | -15.1 |
Article By InvestMacro – Receive our weekly COT Newsletter
*COT Report: The COT data, released weekly to the public each Friday, is updated through the most recent Tuesday (data is 3 days old) and shows a quick view of how large speculators or non-commercials (for-profit traders) were positioned in the futures markets.
The CFTC categorizes trader positions according to commercial hedgers (traders who use futures contracts for hedging as part of the business), non-commercials (large traders who speculate to realize trading profits) and nonreportable traders (usually small traders/speculators) as well as their open interest (contracts open in the market at time of reporting). See CFTC criteria here.
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