Currency Speculators Boost Japanese Yen Bets To 15-Week High While Canadian Dollar Bets Drop Sharply
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 21 and shows a quick view of how large traders (for-profit speculators and commercial entities) 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 would be a bet that the euro will decline versus the dollar.
Currency market speculator bets overall were mixed this week, as five out of the eleven currency markets we cover (Note: Russian Ruble positions have not been updated by CFTC since March) had higher positioning this week while six markets had lower contracts for the week.
Leading the gains for currency markets was the Japanese yen (11,301 contracts) and the British pound sterling (2,349 contracts), with the Australian dollar (2,648 contracts), New Zealand dollar (1,415 contracts), and the US Dollar Index (534 contracts) also showing positive changes on the week.
Meanwhile, leading the declines in speculator bets this week were the Canadian dollar (-19,097 contracts) and the euro (-9,587 contracts), with the Brazil real (-2,868 contracts), Mexican peso (-489 contracts), Swiss franc (-349 contracts), and Bitcoin (-15 contracts) also showing lower speculator positions through June 21.
Currency Position Notables
Japanese yen large speculator bets rose for the sixth straight week this week, and this improvement has brought the overall speculator standing to the least bearish level of the past 15 weeks, at -58,454 contracts. Speculators have trimmed a total of 52,000 contracts off of the total bearish position in these past six weeks after the standing hit -110,454 contracts on May 10.
Yen bets have been in bearish territory since March 13 of 2021 (67 weeks running), with the highest bearish level of the cycle occurring on April 12 at a total of -111,827 contracts.
Canadian dollar bets dropped sharply by -19,097 contracts this week and fell for the first time in the last five weeks. Canadian dollar speculator bets had risen over the previous four weeks by a total of +37,698 contracts.
The decline this week brings the Canadian dollar speculator position into a neutral level at an overall bullish position of just +4,105 contracts, as the speculator position has yet to find a sustainable trend and has been alternating between bearish and bullish net positions over the past few months.
The US Dollar Index rose for a third straight week this week and hit a new five-year high level at +45,010 contracts. This is the first time the overall position has topped +45,000 contracts since March 21 of 2017, and the continued bullish sentiment for the DXY has pushed the US Dollar Index strength score (three-year range) to the very top of its range (100% – extreme bullish).
Euro positions fell for the third straight week and dropped to the most bearish level of the past 29 weeks. The strength score for the euro has dropped to just 30.2%, and it seems the speculator positioning is catching up to the bearishness of the EUR/USD exchange rate. The speculator net position had been at a twelve-week high on May 31 at a total of +52,272 contracts before dropping over the past three weeks to settle at -15,605 contracts this week.
Strength scores (three-year range of speculator positions, ranging from 0 to 100 where above 80% is extreme bullish, below 20% is extreme bearish, and 100% is the top of the range) show that the US Dollar Index (100%), Bitcoin (99.7%), and the Brazilian real (94%) are all in extreme bullish positions. On the bearish side, the Mexican peso is the only currency currently in an extreme bearish position, with a score of 15.9%.
Strength score trends (that calculate six-week changes in strength scores) shows that the Japanese yen (32.0%) and the Swiss franc (21.8%) are leading the strength trends over the past six weeks. Both of these markets have overall bearish net positions, but they have seen the bearish sentiment cooling off strongly. The Mexican peso looks to lead the downside trends for another week with a -18.6% score.
Data Snapshot of Forex Market Traders | Columns Legend
| EUR | 671,718 | 70 | -15,605 | 30 | -18,182 | 71 | 33,787 | 30 |
| GBP | 228,266 | 57 | -63,247 | 28 | 77,902 | 76 | -14,655 | 25 |
| JPY | 218,076 | 67 | -58,454 | 33 | 74,349 | 72 | -15,895 | 21 |
| MXN | 191,265 | 45 | -26,870 | 16 | 22,977 | 82 | 3,893 | 60 |
| CAD | 140,047 | 23 | 4,105 | 44 | -6,578 | 63 | 2,473 | 35 |
| AUD | 137,017 | 35 | -40,606 | 47 | 44,608 | 52 | -4,002 | 43 |
| BRL | 68,858 | 65 | 44,345 | 94 | -45,996 | 6 | 1,651 | 84 |
| USD Index | 58,543 | 86 | 45,010 | 100 | -46,746 | 2 | 1,736 | 36 |
| NZD | 42,889 | 30 | -5,423 | 62 | 8,756 | 44 | -3,333 | 13 |
| CHF | 37,669 | 16 | -7,157 | 38 | 14,958 | 67 | -7,801 | 31 |
| RUB | 20,930 | 4 | 7,543 | 31 | -7,150 | 69 | -393 | 24 |
| Bitcoin | 13,537 | 77 | 1,046 | 100 | -995 | 0 | -51 | 12 |
US Dollar Index Futures
The US Dollar Index large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of 45,010 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly boost of 534 contracts from the previous week, which had a total of 44,476 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 100.0%. The commercials are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 1.6%, and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 35.5%.
| US DOLLAR INDEX Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| –% of Open Interest Longs: | 88.2 | 2.9 | 7.7 |
| –% of Open Interest Shorts: | 11.3 | 82.7 | 4.8 |
| – Net Position: | 45,010 | -46,746 | 1,736 |
| – Gross Longs: | 51,606 | 1,676 | 4,522 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 6,596 | 48,422 | 2,786 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 7.8 to 1 | 0.0 to 1 | 1.6 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 100.0 | 1.6 | 35.5 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bullish-Extreme | Bearish-Extreme | Bearish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 17.1 | -15.2 | -7.2 |
Euro Currency Futures
The euro currency large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of -15,605 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly decrease of -9,587 contracts from the previous week, which had a total of -6,018 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 30.2%. The commercials are Bullish with a score of 70.9%, and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 30.4%.
| EURO Currency Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| –% of Open Interest Longs: | 29.1 | 55.6 | 12.7 |
| –% of Open Interest Shorts: | 31.4 | 58.3 | 7.7 |
| – Net Position: | -15,605 | -18,182 | 33,787 |
| – Gross Longs: | 195,554 | 373,695 | 85,208 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 211,159 | 391,877 | 51,421 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 0.9 to 1 | 1.0 to 1 | 1.7 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 30.2 | 70.9 | 30.4 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bearish | Bullish | Bearish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | -9.9 | 7.0 | 12.1 |
British Pound Sterling Futures
The British pound sterling large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of -63,247 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly boost of 2,349 contracts from the previous week, which had a total of -65,596 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 28.4%. The commercials are Bullish with a score of 75.8%, and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 25.3%.
| BRITISH POUND Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| –% of Open Interest Longs: | 12.5 | 77.6 | 7.8 |
| –% of Open Interest Shorts: | 40.2 | 43.5 | 14.2 |
| – Net Position: | -63,247 | 77,902 | -14,655 |
| – Gross Longs: | 28,470 | 177,170 | 17,735 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 91,717 | 99,268 | 32,390 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 0.3 to 1 | 1.8 to 1 | 0.5 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 28.4 | 75.8 | 25.3 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bearish | Bullish | Bearish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 11.8 | -10.3 | 2.1 |
Japanese Yen Futures
The Japanese yen large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of -58,454 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly advance of 11,301 contracts from the previous week, which had a total of -69,755 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 32.9%. The commercials are Bullish with a score of 71.9%, and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 21.1%.
| JAPANESE YEN Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| –% of Open Interest Longs: | 16.4 | 71.6 | 10.6 |
| –% of Open Interest Shorts: | 43.3 | 37.6 | 17.9 |
| – Net Position: | -58,454 | 74,349 | -15,895 |
| – Gross Longs: | 35,864 | 156,248 | 23,099 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 94,318 | 81,899 | 38,994 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 0.4 to 1 | 1.9 to 1 | 0.6 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 32.9 | 71.9 | 21.1 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bearish | Bullish | Bearish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 32.0 | -24.7 | -2.9 |
Swiss Franc Futures
The Swiss franc large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of -7,157 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly decline of -349 contracts from the previous week, which had a total of -6,808 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 38.4%. The commercials are Bullish with a score of 67.3%, and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 31.1%.
| SWISS FRANC Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| –% of Open Interest Longs: | 8.1 | 66.2 | 25.7 |
| –% of Open Interest Shorts: | 27.1 | 26.5 | 46.4 |
| – Net Position: | -7,157 | 14,958 | -7,801 |
| – Gross Longs: | 3,068 | 24,927 | 9,673 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 10,225 | 9,969 | 17,474 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 0.3 to 1 | 2.5 to 1 | 0.6 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 38.4 | 67.3 | 31.1 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bearish | Bullish | Bearish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 21.8 | -23.7 | 21.2 |
Canadian Dollar Futures
The Canadian dollar large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of 4,105 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly reduction of -19,097 contracts from the previous week, which had a total of 23,202 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 44.0%. The commercials are Bullish with a score of 63.2%, and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 35.1%.
| CANADIAN DOLLAR Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| –% of Open Interest Longs: | 30.2 | 47.9 | 20.7 |
| –% of Open Interest Shorts: | 27.2 | 52.6 | 18.9 |
| – Net Position: | 4,105 | -6,578 | 2,473 |
| – Gross Longs: | 42,260 | 67,084 | 29,011 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 38,155 | 73,662 | 26,538 |
| – 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): | 44.0 | 63.2 | 35.1 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bearish | Bullish | Bearish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 10.7 | -7.9 | 0.0 |
Australian Dollar Futures
The Australian dollar large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of -40,606 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly gain of 2,648 contracts from the previous week, which had a total of -43,254 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 47.2%. The commercials are Bullish with a score of 52.2%, and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish with a score of 42.7%.
| AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| –% of Open Interest Longs: | 23.2 | 60.2 | 13.7 |
| –% of Open Interest Shorts: | 52.8 | 27.7 | 16.6 |
| – Net Position: | -40,606 | 44,608 | -4,002 |
| – Gross Longs: | 31,745 | 82,514 | 18,756 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 72,351 | 37,906 | 22,758 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 0.4 to 1 | 2.2 to 1 | 0.8 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 47.2 | 52.2 | 42.7 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bearish | Bullish | Bearish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 1.0 | -1.9 | 3.4 |
New Zealand Dollar Futures
The New Zealand dollar large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of -5,423 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly lift of 1,415 contracts from the previous week, which had a total of -6,838 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 62.2%. The commercials are Bearish with a score of 43.9%, and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 13.3%.
| NEW ZEALAND DOLLAR Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| –% of Open Interest Longs: | 34.2 | 60.8 | 5.0 |
| –% of Open Interest Shorts: | 46.8 | 40.3 | 12.8 |
| – Net Position: | -5,423 | 8,756 | -3,333 |
| – Gross Longs: | 14,652 | 26,056 | 2,145 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 20,075 | 17,300 | 5,478 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 0.7 to 1 | 1.5 to 1 | 0.4 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 62.2 | 43.9 | 13.3 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bullish | Bearish | Bearish-Extreme |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 12.7 | -12.5 | 6.3 |
Mexican Peso Futures
The Mexican peso large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of -26,870 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly fall of -489 contracts from the previous week, which had a total of -26,381 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 15.9%. The commercials are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 82.4%, and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish with a score of 59.5%.
| MEXICAN PESO Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| –% of Open Interest Longs: | 50.3 | 45.8 | 3.3 |
| –% of Open Interest Shorts: | 64.3 | 33.8 | 1.3 |
| – Net Position: | -26,870 | 22,977 | 3,893 |
| – Gross Longs: | 96,147 | 87,609 | 6,317 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 123,017 | 64,632 | 2,424 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 0.8 to 1 | 1.4 to 1 | 2.6 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 15.9 | 82.4 | 59.5 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bearish-Extreme | Bullish-Extreme | Bullish |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | -18.6 | 18.3 | -1.1 |
Brazilian Real Futures
The Brazilian real large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of 44,345 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly fall of -2,868 contracts from the previous week, which had a total of 47,213 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 94.0%. The commercials are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 6.4%, and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bullish-Extreme with a score of 84.1%.
| BRAZIL REAL Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| –% of Open Interest Longs: | 80.7 | 14.6 | 4.7 |
| –% of Open Interest Shorts: | 16.3 | 81.3 | 2.3 |
| – Net Position: | 44,345 | -45,996 | 1,651 |
| – Gross Longs: | 55,599 | 10,020 | 3,238 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 11,254 | 56,016 | 1,587 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 4.9 to 1 | 0.2 to 1 | 2.0 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 94.0 | 6.4 | 84.1 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bullish-Extreme | Bearish-Extreme | Bullish-Extreme |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 3.5 | -3.9 | 4.7 |
Bitcoin Futures
The Bitcoin large speculator standing this week recorded a net position of 1,046 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday. This was a weekly decline of -15 contracts from the previous week, which had a total of 1,061 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 99.7%. The commercials are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 0.0%, and the small traders (not shown in chart) are Bearish-Extreme with a score of 11.8%.
| BITCOIN Statistics | SPECULATORS | COMMERCIALS | SMALL TRADERS |
| –% of Open Interest Longs: | 77.5 | 0.6 | 7.7 |
| –% of Open Interest Shorts: | 69.8 | 7.9 | 8.1 |
| – Net Position: | 1,046 | -995 | -51 |
| – Gross Longs: | 10,495 | 78 | 1,048 |
| – Gross Shorts: | 9,449 | 1,073 | 1,099 |
| – Long to Short Ratio: | 1.1 to 1 | 0.1 to 1 | 1.0 to 1 |
| NET POSITION TREND: | |||
| – Strength Index Score (3 Year Range Pct): | 99.7 | 0.0 | 11.8 |
| – Strength Index Reading (3 Year Range): | Bullish-Extreme | Bearish-Extreme | Bearish-Extreme |
| NET POSITION MOVEMENT INDEX: | |||
| – 6-Week Change in Strength Index: | 6.3 | -11.9 | -3.1 |
COT Report: The COT data, released weekly to the public each Friday, is updated through the most recent ...
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