By InvestMacro
Here are the latest charts and statistics for the Commitment of Traders (COT) reports data published by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
The latest COT data is updated through Tuesday December 10th and shows a quick view of how large traders (for-profit speculators and commercial entities) were positioned in the futures markets.
Weekly Speculator Changes led by Corn & Soybeans
The COT soft commodities markets speculator bets were higher this week as seven out of the eleven softs markets we cover had higher positioning while the other four markets had lower speculator contracts.
Leading the gains for the softs markets was Corn (87,195 contracts) with Soybean Oil (16,035 contracts), Soybeans (12,268 contracts), Sugar (9,012 contracts) Live Cattle (5,657 contracts), Soybean Meal (4,742 contracts) and Wheat (2,247 contracts) also showing positive weeks.
The markets with the declines in speculator bets this week were Cotton (-5,938 contracts), Coffee (-4,653 contracts), Lean Hogs (-237 contracts) and with Cocoa (-188 contracts) also registering lower bets on the week.
Soft Commodities Net Speculators Leaderboard
Legend: Weekly Speculators Change | Speculators Current Net Position | Speculators Strength Score compared to last 3-Years (0-100 range)
Strength Scores led by Lean Hogs & Live Cattle
COT Strength Scores (a normalized measure of Speculator positions over a 3-Year range, from 0 to 100 where above 80 is Extreme-Bullish and below 20 is Extreme-Bearish) showed that Lean Hogs (100 percent) and Live Cattle (90 percent) lead the softs markets this week. Coffee (86 percent), Soybean Oil (65 percent) and Corn (62 percent) come in as the next highest in the weekly strength scores.
On the downside, Soybean Meal (15 percent) and Cotton (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 Soybeans (26 percent) and the Wheat (30 percent).
Strength Statistics:
Corn (62.4 percent) vs Corn previous week (51.3 percent)
Sugar (35.7 percent) vs Sugar previous week (32.6 percent)
Coffee (86.4 percent) vs Coffee previous week (90.9 percent)
Soybeans (26.2 percent) vs Soybeans previous week (23.3 percent)
Soybean Oil (64.9 percent) vs Soybean Oil previous week (56.1 percent)
Soybean Meal (15.4 percent) vs Soybean Meal previous week (13.5 percent)
Live Cattle (89.7 percent) vs Live Cattle previous week (83.6 percent)
Lean Hogs (99.8 percent) vs Lean Hogs previous week (100.0 percent)
Cotton (17.9 percent) vs Cotton previous week (21.9 percent)
Cocoa (47.7 percent) vs Cocoa previous week (47.9 percent)
Wheat (30.1 percent) vs Wheat previous week (28.3 percent)
Lean Hogs & Live Cattle top the 6-Week Strength Trends
COT Strength Score Trends (or move index, calculates the 6-week changes in strength scores) showed that Lean Hogs (24 percent) and Live Cattle (23 percent) lead the past six weeks trends for soft commodities. Corn (18 percent) is the next highest positive movers in the latest trends data.
Wheat (-29 percent) leads the downside trend scores currently with Soybean Meal (-23 percent), Soybean Oil (-12 percent) and Cotton (-5 percent) following next with lower trend scores.
Strength Trend Statistics:
Corn (18.0 percent) vs Corn previous week (15.2 percent)
Sugar (5.1 percent) vs Sugar previous week (-1.8 percent)
Coffee (-3.1 percent) vs Coffee previous week (0.4 percent)
Soybeans (1.4 percent) vs Soybeans previous week (-4.8 percent)
Soybean Oil (-11.8 percent) vs Soybean Oil previous week (-23.1 percent)
Soybean Meal (-23.1 percent) vs Soybean Meal previous week (-42.0 percent)
Live Cattle (22.6 percent) vs Live Cattle previous week (26.2 percent)
Lean Hogs (23.8 percent) vs Lean Hogs previous week (33.1 percent)
Cotton (-5.2 percent) vs Cotton previous week (-4.2 percent)
Cocoa (-0.4 percent) vs Cocoa previous week (-3.9 percent)
Wheat (-28.9 percent) vs Wheat previous week (-35.3 percent)
Individual Soft Commodities Markets:
CORN Futures:
The CORN large speculator standing this week reached a net position of 224,423 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly lift of 87,195 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 137,228 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 62.4 percent. The commercials are Bearish with a score of 38.1 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 53.3 percent.
Price Trend-Following Model: Strong Uptrend
Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Strong Uptrend.
| CORN Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 29.4 | 44.7 | 7.7 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 15.2 | 56.3 | 10.2 |
| – Net Position: | 224,423 | -183,482 | -40,941 |
| – Gross Longs: | 465,806 | 707,447 | 121,307 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 241,383 | 890,929 | 162,248 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 1.9 to 1 | 0.8 to 1 | 0.7 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 62.4 | 38.1 | 53.3 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bullish | Bearish | Bullish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 18.0 | -19.5 | 7.3 |
SUGAR Futures:
The SUGAR large speculator standing this week reached a net position of 97,327 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly gain of 9,012 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 88,315 net contracts.
This week’s current strength score (the trader positioning range over the past three years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish with a score of 35.7 percent. The commercials are Bullish with a score of 63.1 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 43.8 percent.
Price Trend-Following Model: Weak Uptrend
Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Weak Uptrend.
| SUGAR Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 25.5 | 50.5 | 7.8 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 15.0 | 63.0 | 5.8 |
| – Net Position: | 97,327 | -115,926 | 18,599 |
| – Gross Longs: | 237,266 | 469,791 | 72,554 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 139,939 | 585,717 | 53,955 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 1.7 to 1 | 0.8 to 1 | 1.3 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 35.7 | 63.1 | 43.8 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bearish | Bullish | Bearish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 5.1 | 0.4 | -20.9 |
COFFEE Futures:
The COFFEE large speculator standing this week reached a net position of 62,074 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly reduction of -4,653 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 66,727 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 86.4 percent. The commercials are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 13.3 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 63.7 percent.
Price Trend-Following Model: Strong Uptrend
Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Strong Uptrend.
| COFFEE Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 37.3 | 34.8 | 4.6 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 6.9 | 66.7 | 3.1 |
| – Net Position: | 62,074 | -65,126 | 3,052 |
| – Gross Longs: | 76,217 | 71,110 | 9,346 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 14,143 | 136,236 | 6,294 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 5.4 to 1 | 0.5 to 1 | 1.5 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 86.4 | 13.3 | 63.7 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bullish-Extreme | Bearish-Extreme | Bullish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | -3.1 | 2.8 | 5.0 |
SOYBEANS Futures:
The SOYBEANS large speculator standing this week reached a net position of -86,216 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly lift of 12,268 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -98,484 net contracts.
This week’s current strength score (the trader positioning range over the past three years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish with a score of 26.2 percent. The commercials are Bullish with a score of 74.1 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 69.8 percent.
Price Trend-Following Model: Strong Downtrend
Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Strong Downtrend.
| SOYBEANS Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 17.6 | 55.6 | 5.5 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 27.0 | 44.4 | 7.3 |
| – Net Position: | -86,216 | 102,553 | -16,337 |
| – Gross Longs: | 160,946 | 508,774 | 50,637 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 247,162 | 406,221 | 66,974 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 0.7 to 1 | 1.3 to 1 | 0.8 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 26.2 | 74.1 | 69.8 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bearish | Bullish | Bullish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 1.4 | -1.1 | -3.7 |
SOYBEAN OIL Futures:
The SOYBEAN OIL large speculator standing this week reached a net position of 42,863 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly gain of 16,035 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 26,828 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 64.9 percent. The commercials are Bearish with a score of 37.9 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 44.6 percent.
Price Trend-Following Model: Weak Uptrend
Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Weak Uptrend.
| SOYBEAN OIL Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 25.6 | 52.8 | 5.9 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 18.0 | 61.8 | 4.5 |
| – Net Position: | 42,863 | -50,751 | 7,888 |
| – Gross Longs: | 144,344 | 298,265 | 33,370 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 101,481 | 349,016 | 25,482 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 1.4 to 1 | 0.9 to 1 | 1.3 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 64.9 | 37.9 | 44.6 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bullish | Bearish | Bearish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | -11.8 | 9.4 | 9.8 |
SOYBEAN MEAL Futures:
The SOYBEAN MEAL large speculator standing this week reached a net position of -29,228 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly boost of 4,742 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -33,970 net contracts.
This week’s current strength score (the trader positioning range over the past three years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish-Extreme with a score of 15.4 percent. The commercials are Bullish with a score of 79.7 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 64.6 percent.
Price Trend-Following Model: Downtrend
Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Downtrend.
| SOYBEAN MEAL Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 22.1 | 44.9 | 9.1 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 26.9 | 44.0 | 5.2 |
| – Net Position: | -29,228 | 5,021 | 24,207 |
| – Gross Longs: | 135,659 | 275,022 | 55,954 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 164,887 | 270,001 | 31,747 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 0.8 to 1 | 1.0 to 1 | 1.8 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 15.4 | 79.7 | 64.6 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bearish-Extreme | Bullish | Bullish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | -23.1 | 23.4 | -12.1 |
LIVE CATTLE Futures:
The LIVE CATTLE large speculator standing this week reached a net position of 102,701 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly boost of 5,657 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 97,044 net contracts.
This week’s current strength score (the trader positioning range over the past three years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish-Extreme with a score of 89.7 percent. The commercials are Bearish with a score of 27.3 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 0.0 percent.
Price Trend-Following Model: Strong Uptrend
Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Strong Uptrend.
| LIVE CATTLE Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 49.2 | 30.2 | 6.8 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 19.0 | 53.2 | 14.1 |
| – Net Position: | 102,701 | -77,914 | -24,787 |
| – Gross Longs: | 167,119 | 102,578 | 23,110 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 64,418 | 180,492 | 47,897 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 2.6 to 1 | 0.6 to 1 | 0.5 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 89.7 | 27.3 | 0.0 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bullish-Extreme | Bearish | Bearish-Extreme |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 22.6 | -24.5 | -2.9 |
LEAN HOGS Futures:
The LEAN HOGS large speculator standing this week reached a net position of 91,522 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly reduction of -237 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 91,759 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 99.8 percent. The commercials are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 2.6 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 22.3 percent.
Price Trend-Following Model: Weak Downtrend
Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Weak Downtrend.
| LEAN HOGS Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 49.6 | 29.2 | 5.7 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 24.3 | 51.3 | 9.0 |
| – Net Position: | 91,522 | -79,905 | -11,617 |
| – Gross Longs: | 179,204 | 105,332 | 20,747 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 87,682 | 185,237 | 32,364 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 2.0 to 1 | 0.6 to 1 | 0.6 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 99.8 | 2.6 | 22.3 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bullish-Extreme | Bearish-Extreme | Bearish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 23.8 | -21.9 | -24.1 |
COTTON Futures:
The COTTON large speculator standing this week reached a net position of -19,528 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly reduction of -5,938 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -13,590 net contracts.
This week’s current strength score (the trader positioning range over the past three years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish-Extreme with a score of 17.9 percent. The commercials are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 81.8 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 17.5 percent.
Price Trend-Following Model: Weak Uptrend
Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Weak Uptrend.
| COTTON Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 25.7 | 47.0 | 5.7 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 34.1 | 38.7 | 5.7 |
| – Net Position: | -19,528 | 19,378 | 150 |
| – Gross Longs: | 59,508 | 108,927 | 13,293 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 79,036 | 89,549 | 13,143 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 0.8 to 1 | 1.2 to 1 | 1.0 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 17.9 | 81.8 | 17.5 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bearish-Extreme | Bullish-Extreme | Bearish-Extreme |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | -5.2 | 4.0 | 7.7 |
COCOA Futures:
The COCOA large speculator standing this week reached a net position of 36,977 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly decrease of -188 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 37,165 net contracts.
This week’s current strength score (the trader positioning range over the past three years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish with a score of 47.7 percent. The commercials are Bearish with a score of 49.3 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 68.8 percent.
Price Trend-Following Model: Strong Uptrend
Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Strong Uptrend.
| COCOA Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 42.1 | 36.3 | 9.6 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 13.5 | 70.1 | 4.5 |
| – Net Position: | 36,977 | -43,622 | 6,645 |
| – Gross Longs: | 54,366 | 46,915 | 12,396 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 17,389 | 90,537 | 5,751 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 3.1 to 1 | 0.5 to 1 | 2.2 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 47.7 | 49.3 | 68.8 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bearish | Bearish | Bullish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | -0.4 | 1.0 | -4.6 |
WHEAT Futures:
The WHEAT large speculator standing this week reached a net position of -59,290 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly increase of 2,247 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -61,537 net contracts.
This week’s current strength score (the trader positioning range over the past three years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish with a score of 30.1 percent. The commercials are Bullish with a score of 72.4 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 30.6 percent.
Price Trend-Following Model: Weak Uptrend
Our weekly trend-following model classifies the current market price position as: Weak Uptrend.
| WHEAT Futures Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| – Percent of Open Interest Longs: | 29.7 | 38.8 | 6.8 |
| – Percent of Open Interest Shorts: | 43.6 | 23.7 | 7.9 |
| – Net Position: | -59,290 | 64,282 | -4,992 |
| – Gross Longs: | 126,404 | 165,145 | 28,783 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 185,694 | 100,863 | 33,775 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 0.7 to 1 | 1.6 to 1 | 0.9 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 30.1 | 72.4 | 30.6 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bearish | Bullish | Bearish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | -28.9 | 26.2 | 20.1 |
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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