COT Week 26 Charts: Soft Commodities Speculators bets drop sharply led by Corn, Soybeans & Sugar

Invest Macro 02.07.2022 18:20
By InvestMacro | COT | Data Tables | COT Leaders | Downloads | COT Newsletter
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 June 28th and shows a quick view of how large traders (for-profit speculators and commercial entities) were positioned in the futures markets.
The soft commodities market speculator bets were sharply lower this week as just two out of the eleven soft commodities markets we cover had higher positioning this week while nine markets had lower contracts.
Leading the gains for soft commodities markets was Lean Hogs (4,228 contracts) and Cocoa (3,034 contracts) as the only markets showing positive weeks. Meanwhile, leading the declines in speculator bets this week were Corn (-52,067 contracts), Soybeans (-41,186 contracts) and Sugar (-40,402 contracts) with Soybean Oil (-22,612 contracts), Live Cattle (-12,287 contracts), Wheat (-11,388 contracts), Cotton (-9,655 contracts), Coffee (-4,171 contracts) and Soybean Meal (-1,446 contracts) also registering lower bets on the week.
Strength scores (measuring the 3-Year range of Speculator positions, from 0 to 100 where above 80 percent is extreme bullish and below 20 percent is extreme bearish) show that Soybean Meal (80 percent) is leading the speculator strength positions at an extreme bullish score. Coffee (78 percent) and Corn (72 percent) are the next highest in strength scores. Live Cattle (14 percent) is the lone extreme bearish market with Cocoa (24 percent) coming in as the next lowest.
Strength score trends (or move index, that calculate 6-week changes in strength scores) shows the trends for soft commodities are on the downside with eight out of the eleven markets showing negative trends. Soybean Oil (-34 percent) and Wheat (-28 percent) are leading the negative scores currently. The only markets with positive scores this week are Coffee (6 percent), Lean Hogs (9 percent) and Soybean Meal (12 percent).
Data Snapshot of Commodity Market Traders | Columns Legend
Jun-28-2022
OI
OI-Index
Spec-Net
Spec-Index
Com-Net
COM-Index
Smalls-Net
Smalls-Index
WTI Crude
1,651,566
0
299,692
3
-327,938
99
28,246
55
Gold
497,005
13
157,693
2
-182,007
98
24,314
16
Silver
135,775
3
10,891
0
-18,485
100
7,594
0
Copper
182,352
14
-30,696
20
31,197
81
-501
22
Palladium
7,765
6
-3,825
1
4,441
100
-616
8
Platinum
68,232
36
-1,306
2
-3,381
100
4,687
27
Natural Gas
987,740
0
-129,419
40
90,840
60
38,579
71
Brent
173,920
19
-42,677
40
41,434
62
1,243
26
Heating Oil
269,168
23
7,508
53
-25,743
44
18,235
62
Soybeans
653,337
11
137,193
56
-106,705
52
-30,488
20
Corn
1,338,054
0
328,102
72
-274,110
33
-53,992
12
Coffee
194,896
2
45,200
78
-47,147
26
1,947
9
Sugar
734,324
0
122,709
62
-132,877
43
10,168
20
Wheat
291,041
0
7,679
29
-1,871
57
-5,808
80
CORN Futures:
The CORN large speculator standing this week came in at a net position of 328,102 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly reduction of -52,067 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 380,169 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 32.9 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 12.0 percent.
CORN Futures Statistics
SPECULATORS
COMMERCIALS
SMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:
32.4
44.6
9.4
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:
7.9
65.1
13.4
– Net Position:
328,102
-274,110
-53,992
– Gross Longs:
433,710
597,265
125,886
– Gross Shorts:
105,608
871,375
179,878
– Long to Short Ratio:
4.1 to 1
0.7 to 1
0.7 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):
71.9
32.9
12.0
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):
Bullish
Bearish
Bearish-Extreme
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:
-18.6
21.4
-2.9
SUGAR Futures:
The SUGAR large speculator standing this week came in at a net position of 122,709 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly lowering of -40,402 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 163,111 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 61.8 percent. The commercials are Bearish with a score of 43.0 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 20.4 percent.
SUGAR Futures Statistics
SPECULATORS
COMMERCIALS
SMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:
28.7
49.2
9.1
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:
12.0
67.3
7.7
– Net Position:
122,709
-132,877
10,168
– Gross Longs:
210,575
361,005
66,813
– Gross Shorts:
87,866
493,882
56,645
– Long to Short Ratio:
2.4 to 1
0.7 to 1
1.2 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):
61.8
43.0
20.4
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):
Bullish
Bearish
Bearish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:
-15.2
21.3
-47.7
COFFEE Futures:
The COFFEE large speculator standing this week came in at a net position of 45,200 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly decrease of -4,171 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 49,371 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 77.9 percent. The commercials are Bearish with a score of 26.5 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 9.5 percent.
COFFEE Futures Statistics
SPECULATORS
COMMERCIALS
SMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:
28.5
49.4
4.1
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:
5.3
73.6
3.1
– Net Position:
45,200
-47,147
1,947
– Gross Longs:
55,545
96,232
8,006
– Gross Shorts:
10,345
143,379
6,059
– Long to Short Ratio:
5.4 to 1
0.7 to 1
1.3 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):
77.9
26.5
9.5
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):
Bullish
Bearish
Bearish-Extreme
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:
5.8
-5.6
-5.2
SOYBEANS Futures:
The SOYBEANS large speculator standing this week came in at a net position of 137,193 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly lowering of -41,186 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 178,379 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 55.9 percent. The commercials are Bullish with a score of 51.7 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 19.5 percent.
SOYBEANS Futures Statistics
SPECULATORS
COMMERCIALS
SMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:
29.3
52.5
5.9
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:
8.3
68.9
10.5
– Net Position:
137,193
-106,705
-30,488
– Gross Longs:
191,380
343,227
38,323
– Gross Shorts:
54,187
449,932
68,811
– Long to Short Ratio:
3.5 to 1
0.8 to 1
0.6 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):
55.9
51.7
19.5
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):
Bullish
Bullish
Bearish-Extreme
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:
-14.1
15.0
-6.4
SOYBEAN OIL Futures:
The SOYBEAN OIL large speculator standing this week came in at a net position of 44,918 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly reduction of -22,612 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 67,530 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 35.9 percent. The commercials are Bullish with a score of 63.7 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 44.4 percent.
SOYBEAN OIL Futures Statistics
SPECULATORS
COMMERCIALS
SMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:
22.7
55.7
8.4
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:
10.3
70.4
6.1
– Net Position:
44,918
-53,225
8,307
– Gross Longs:
82,491
202,343
30,416
– Gross Shorts:
37,573
255,568
22,109
– Long to Short Ratio:
2.2 to 1
0.8 to 1
1.4 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):
35.9
63.7
44.4
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):
Bearish
Bullish
Bearish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:
-34.2
38.6
-48.9
SOYBEAN MEAL Futures:
The SOYBEAN MEAL large speculator standing this week came in at a net position of 93,925 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly lowering of -1,446 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 95,371 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 79.8 percent. The commercials are Bearish with a score of 23.2 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 42.3 percent.
SOYBEAN MEAL Futures Statistics
SPECULATORS
COMMERCIALS
SMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:
27.3
43.5
11.4
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:
3.3
72.8
6.0
– Net Position:
93,925
-114,869
20,944
– Gross Longs:
106,995
170,250
44,567
– Gross Shorts:
13,070
285,119
23,623
– Long to Short Ratio:
8.2 to 1
0.6 to 1
1.9 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):
79.8
23.2
42.3
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):
Bullish
Bearish
Bearish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:
11.5
-7.4
-33.0
LIVE CATTLE Futures:
The LIVE CATTLE large speculator standing this week came in at a net position of 27,835 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly fall of -12,287 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 40,122 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 14.3 percent. The commercials are Bullish with a score of 76.2 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 79.2 percent.
LIVE CATTLE Futures Statistics
SPECULATORS
COMMERCIALS
SMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:
35.0
39.4
11.2
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:
25.1
49.1
11.5
– Net Position:
27,835
-27,080
-755
– Gross Longs:
98,030
110,513
31,369
– Gross Shorts:
70,195
137,593
32,124
– Long to Short Ratio:
1.4 to 1
0.8 to 1
1.0 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):
14.3
76.2
79.2
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):
Bearish-Extreme
Bullish
Bullish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:
-9.0
5.9
9.9
LEAN HOGS Futures:
The LEAN HOGS large speculator standing this week came in at a net position of 16,287 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly gain of 4,228 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 12,059 net contracts.
This week’s current strength score (the trader positioning range over the past three years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bearish with a score of 24.5 percent. The commercials are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 84.8 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 50.1 percent.
LEAN HOGS Futures Statistics
SPECULATORS
COMMERCIALS
SMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:
32.9
41.6
9.7
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:
24.2
45.5
14.5
– Net Position:
16,287
-7,339
-8,948
– Gross Longs:
61,378
77,472
18,100
– Gross Shorts:
45,091
84,811
27,048
– Long to Short Ratio:
1.4 to 1
0.9 to 1
0.7 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):
24.5
84.8
50.1
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):
Bearish
Bullish-Extreme
Bullish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:
9.3
-5.5
-19.9
COTTON Futures:
The COTTON large speculator standing this week came in at a net position of 56,390 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly reduction of -9,655 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 66,045 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 58.6 percent. The commercials are Bearish with a score of 41.9 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 46.8 percent.
COTTON Futures Statistics
SPECULATORS
COMMERCIALS
SMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:
41.4
40.3
7.6
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:
9.3
75.6
4.5
– Net Position:
56,390
-61,856
5,466
– Gross Longs:
72,622
70,585
13,385
– Gross Shorts:
16,232
132,441
7,919
– Long to Short Ratio:
4.5 to 1
0.5 to 1
1.7 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):
58.6
41.9
46.8
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):
Bullish
Bearish
Bearish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:
-14.6
17.0
-38.7
COCOA Futures:
The COCOA large speculator standing this week came in at a net position of 6,339 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly lift of 3,034 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 3,305 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 23.8 percent. The commercials are Bullish with a score of 77.4 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 20.2 percent.
COCOA Futures Statistics
SPECULATORS
COMMERCIALS
SMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:
30.2
44.3
4.5
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:
28.1
47.1
3.7
– Net Position:
6,339
-8,708
2,369
– Gross Longs:
91,654
134,441
13,610
– Gross Shorts:
85,315
143,149
11,241
– Long to Short Ratio:
1.1 to 1
0.9 to 1
1.2 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):
23.8
77.4
20.2
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):
Bearish
Bullish
Bearish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:
-12.0
14.6
-27.2
WHEAT Futures:
The WHEAT large speculator standing this week came in at a net position of 7,679 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly decrease of -11,388 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 19,067 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 29.0 percent. The commercials are Bullish with a score of 57.0 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 80.3 percent.
WHEAT Futures Statistics
SPECULATORS
COMMERCIALS
SMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:
30.9
40.8
10.1
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:
28.3
41.5
12.1
– Net Position:
7,679
-1,871
-5,808
– Gross Longs:
89,989
118,839
29,465
– Gross Shorts:
82,310
120,710
35,273
– Long to Short Ratio:
1.1 to 1
1.0 to 1
0.8 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):
29.0
57.0
80.3
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):
Bearish
Bullish
Bullish-Extreme
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:
-27.5
34.3
-15.7
Article By InvestMacro – Receive 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.