COT Week 27 Charts: Soft Commodities Speculators bets go lower led by Corn, Sugar & Cocoa

Invest Macro 09.07.2022 16:18
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 July 5th 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 headed lower this week as just three out of the eleven soft commodities markets we cover had higher positioning this week while the other eight markets had lower speculator contracts.
Leading the gains for soft commodities markets was Soybean Meal (2,019 contracts) and Coffee (1,587 contracts) with Wheat (705 contracts) also having a positive week. Meanwhile, leading the declines in speculator bets this week were Corn (-67,397 contracts) and Sugar (-39,197 contracts) with Cocoa (-13,454 contracts), Soybeans (-11,702 contracts), Soybean Oil (-10,237 contracts), Live Cattle (-7,806 contracts), Cotton (-5,845 contracts) and Lean Hogs (-1,080 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 Coffee (79.3 percent) and Soybean Meal (80.9 percent) are leading this week with Soybean Meal just above the bullish extreme level (80 percent). On the lower side, Live Cattle (4.5 percent) and Cocoa (10.7 percent) are the lowest strength scores and are both in bearish extreme levels this week.
Strength score trends (or move index, that calculate 6-week changes in strength scores) shows once again this week how much the softs sentiment has cooled off after a scorching start to the year. Lean Hogs (8.6 percent), Coffee (8.4 percent) and Soybean Meal (7.8 percent) are the only markets that have had a gain of strength scores over the past six weeks. On the downside, Soybean Oil (-29.9 percent), Sugar (-25.9 percent) and Wheat (-23.4 percent) are leading the downtrends among the soft commodities markets.
Data Snapshot of Commodity Market Traders | Columns Legend
Jul-05-2022
OI
OI-Index
Spec-Net
Spec-Index
Com-Net
COM-Index
Smalls-Net
Smalls-Index
WTI Crude
1,637,862
0
280,523
0
-304,217
100
23,694
48
Gold
498,210
13
145,660
0
-165,585
100
19,925
0
Silver
140,463
7
5,139
0
-11,622
100
6,483
0
Copper
183,331
15
-31,796
19
31,340
81
456
28
Palladium
7,373
5
-3,410
4
4,104
98
-694
4
Platinum
72,895
44
-2,734
0
-1,670
100
4,404
23
Natural Gas
977,507
0
-130,519
39
91,950
60
38,569
71
Brent
166,711
13
-38,514
47
37,309
55
1,205
26
Heating Oil
264,269
21
6,486
52
-22,775
47
16,289
55
Soybeans
638,675
7
125,491
52
-93,638
56
-31,853
17
Corn
1,331,035
0
260,705
63
-207,441
42
-53,264
12
Coffee
193,731
1
46,787
79
-49,139
25
2,352
14
Sugar
713,245
0
83,512
54
-85,255
52
1,743
10
Wheat
288,754
0
8,384
30
623
61
-9,007
64
CORN Futures:
The CORN large speculator standing this week totaled a net position of 260,705 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly reduction of -67,397 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 328,102 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 63.3 percent. The commercials are Bearish with a score of 42.4 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 12.4 percent.
CORN Futures Statistics
SPECULATORS
COMMERCIALS
SMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:
29.7
46.5
9.2
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:
10.1
62.1
13.2
– Net Position:
260,705
-207,441
-53,264
– Gross Longs:
395,713
618,691
122,652
– Gross Shorts:
135,008
826,132
175,916
– Long to Short Ratio:
2.9 to 1
0.7 to 1
0.7 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):
63.3
42.4
12.4
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):
Bullish
Bearish
Bearish-Extreme
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:
-21.4
23.5
1.2
SUGAR Futures:
The SUGAR large speculator standing this week totaled a net position of 83,512 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly decrease of -39,197 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 122,709 net contracts.
This week’s current strength score (the trader positioning range over the past three years, measured from 0 to 100) shows the speculators are currently Bullish with a score of 53.8 percent. The commercials are Bullish with a score of 52.0 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 10.0 percent.
SUGAR Futures Statistics
SPECULATORS
COMMERCIALS
SMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:
26.8
50.7
9.1
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:
15.1
62.7
8.9
– Net Position:
83,512
-85,255
1,743
– Gross Longs:
191,390
361,892
65,138
– Gross Shorts:
107,878
447,147
63,395
– Long to Short Ratio:
1.8 to 1
0.8 to 1
1.0 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):
53.8
52.0
10.0
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):
Bullish
Bullish
Bearish-Extreme
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:
-25.9
32.3
-54.7
COFFEE Futures:
The COFFEE large speculator standing this week totaled a net position of 46,787 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly gain of 1,587 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 45,200 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 79.3 percent. The commercials are Bearish with a score of 24.7 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 13.5 percent.
COFFEE Futures Statistics
SPECULATORS
COMMERCIALS
SMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:
28.4
49.2
4.5
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:
4.2
74.6
3.3
– Net Position:
46,787
-49,139
2,352
– Gross Longs:
54,965
95,332
8,800
– Gross Shorts:
8,178
144,471
6,448
– Long to Short Ratio:
6.7 to 1
0.7 to 1
1.4 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):
79.3
24.7
13.5
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):
Bullish
Bearish
Bearish-Extreme
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:
8.4
-9.7
9.4
SOYBEANS Futures:
The SOYBEANS large speculator standing this week totaled a net position of 125,491 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly reduction of -11,702 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 137,193 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 52.4 percent. The commercials are Bullish with a score of 55.6 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 17.2 percent.
SOYBEANS Futures Statistics
SPECULATORS
COMMERCIALS
SMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:
29.8
51.8
5.9
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:
10.2
66.4
10.9
– Net Position:
125,491
-93,638
-31,853
– Gross Longs:
190,571
330,584
37,700
– Gross Shorts:
65,080
424,222
69,553
– Long to Short Ratio:
2.9 to 1
0.8 to 1
0.5 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):
52.4
55.6
17.2
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):
Bullish
Bullish
Bearish-Extreme
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:
-19.1
19.5
-4.3
SOYBEAN OIL Futures:
The SOYBEAN OIL large speculator standing this week totaled a net position of 34,681 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly fall of -10,237 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 44,918 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 72.5 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 28.1 percent.
SOYBEAN OIL Futures Statistics
SPECULATORS
COMMERCIALS
SMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:
20.8
57.1
7.3
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:
11.3
67.7
6.2
– Net Position:
34,681
-38,614
3,933
– Gross Longs:
75,794
208,440
26,452
– Gross Shorts:
41,113
247,054
22,519
– Long to Short Ratio:
1.8 to 1
0.8 to 1
1.2 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):
29.0
72.5
28.1
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):
Bearish
Bullish
Bearish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:
-29.9
36.0
-56.9
SOYBEAN MEAL Futures:
The SOYBEAN MEAL large speculator standing this week totaled a net position of 95,944 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly gain of 2,019 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 93,925 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 80.9 percent. The commercials are Bearish with a score of 24.3 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 21.3 percent.
SOYBEAN MEAL Futures Statistics
SPECULATORS
COMMERCIALS
SMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:
28.3
42.5
10.6
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:
4.0
71.0
6.3
– Net Position:
95,944
-112,761
16,817
– Gross Longs:
111,776
167,821
41,885
– Gross Shorts:
15,832
280,582
25,068
– Long to Short Ratio:
7.1 to 1
0.6 to 1
1.7 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):
80.9
24.3
21.3
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):
Bullish-Extreme
Bearish
Bearish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:
7.8
-2.3
-49.2
LIVE CATTLE Futures:
The LIVE CATTLE large speculator standing this week totaled a net position of 20,029 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly decrease of -7,806 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 27,835 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 4.5 percent. The commercials are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 85.1 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 83.7 percent.
LIVE CATTLE Futures Statistics
SPECULATORS
COMMERCIALS
SMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:
33.8
39.7
11.0
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:
26.7
47.1
10.8
– Net Position:
20,029
-20,591
562
– Gross Longs:
94,773
111,320
30,936
– Gross Shorts:
74,744
131,911
30,374
– Long to Short Ratio:
1.3 to 1
0.8 to 1
1.0 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):
4.5
85.1
83.7
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):
Bearish-Extreme
Bullish-Extreme
Bullish-Extreme
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:
-3.4
2.1
4.0
LEAN HOGS Futures:
The LEAN HOGS large speculator standing this week totaled a net position of 15,207 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly reduction of -1,080 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 16,287 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 23.3 percent. The commercials are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 86.1 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 49.8 percent.
LEAN HOGS Futures Statistics
SPECULATORS
COMMERCIALS
SMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:
32.1
41.0
9.0
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:
24.3
44.2
13.7
– Net Position:
15,207
-6,194
-9,013
– Gross Longs:
62,222
79,268
17,491
– Gross Shorts:
47,015
85,462
26,504
– Long to Short Ratio:
1.3 to 1
0.9 to 1
0.7 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):
23.3
86.1
49.8
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):
Bearish
Bullish-Extreme
Bearish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:
8.6
-5.9
-15.0
COTTON Futures:
The COTTON large speculator standing this week totaled a net position of 50,545 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly lowering of -5,845 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 56,390 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 54.8 percent. The commercials are Bearish with a score of 46.1 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 37.6 percent.
COTTON Futures Statistics
SPECULATORS
COMMERCIALS
SMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:
40.7
41.6
7.1
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:
11.7
72.9
4.8
– Net Position:
50,545
-54,576
4,031
– Gross Longs:
70,871
72,524
12,397
– Gross Shorts:
20,326
127,100
8,366
– Long to Short Ratio:
3.5 to 1
0.6 to 1
1.5 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):
54.8
46.1
37.6
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):
Bullish
Bearish
Bearish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:
-14.0
17.0
-44.4
COCOA Futures:
The COCOA large speculator standing this week totaled a net position of -7,115 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly decline of -13,454 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 6,339 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 10.7 percent. The commercials are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 91.0 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 14.8 percent.
COCOA Futures Statistics
SPECULATORS
COMMERCIALS
SMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:
29.9
46.4
4.6
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:
32.1
44.7
4.0
– Net Position:
-7,115
5,287
1,828
– Gross Longs:
94,360
146,524
14,461
– Gross Shorts:
101,475
141,237
12,633
– Long to Short Ratio:
0.9 to 1
1.0 to 1
1.1 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):
10.7
91.0
14.8
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):
Bearish-Extreme
Bullish-Extreme
Bearish-Extreme
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:
-15.4
18.3
-31.4
WHEAT Futures:
The WHEAT large speculator standing this week totaled a net position of 8,384 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly rise of 705 contracts from the previous week which had a total of 7,679 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 30.0 percent. The commercials are Bullish with a score of 60.6 percent and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 63.7 percent.
WHEAT Futures Statistics
SPECULATORS
COMMERCIALS
SMALL TRADERS
– Percent of Open Interest Longs:
30.2
41.9
9.2
– Percent of Open Interest Shorts:
27.3
41.7
12.4
– Net Position:
8,384
623
-9,007
– Gross Longs:
87,094
121,006
26,674
– Gross Shorts:
78,710
120,383
35,681
– Long to Short Ratio:
1.1 to 1
1.0 to 1
0.7 to 1
NET POSITION TREND:
– Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct):
30.0
60.6
63.7
– Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range):
Bearish
Bullish
Bullish
NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX:
– 6-Week Change in Strength Index:
-23.4
35.5
-36.3
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.