COT

Net-short exposure to yen futures rose to a 16-year high last week, and now within reach of its record. Asset managers appear to be on the right side of the US dollar trade, with large speculators remaining net-short despite the dollar's rally. Net-long exposure for oil and gold futures continued to trend higher, but neither are at levels which screams sentiment extreme. And asset managers are on the cusp of flipping to net-long exposure to the VIX.

The commitment of traders (COT) report shows how large speculators are positioned across futures markets on the CME exchange.

An increase of bearish bets against AUD/USD pushed net-short exposure to a record high among large speculators.

With a BOE and FOMC meeting pending and net-long exposure for GBP/USD at or near a sentiment extreme, I cannot help but wonder if the pound it due at least a pullback. I also take a closer look at the US dollar index (DXY), gold and the Nasdaq 100.

The reversal on USD/JPY did not come without warning, as traders had reached a record level of net-short exposure. And whilst USD/JPY may be due for a bounce, further downside potential remains.

Short exposure to the Japanese yen continues to venture towards the extreme, which suggests USD/JPY could fast be approaching a reversal.

Traders remained net-long US dollar index futures last week, although asset managers have the more convincing bullish view for the dollar.

With the USD showing signs of a potential pullbacks and JPY futures nearing a potential sentiment extreme, USD/JPY may well struggle to break and hold above 152. EUR/USD also looks set to bounce despite lower net-long exposure, and gold future may struggle to hold above $2000 given the rise in short and trimming of long bets.

The commitment of traders (COT) report shows how large speculators are positioned across futures markets on the CME exchange.

When yen bulls increase their long exposure by 40% in a week, it is probably worth noting. Especially when large speculators had pushed net-short exposure to a 6-year high the week prior. Every turning point must start somewhere, and I continue to suspect this turning point already has.

EUR/USD bears continued to trim shorts while large speculators added to longs. Whilst this might not be a bullish bet on the strength of Europe, it may well be a bet against the US dollar. And with the 2-year note holding above key support and shorts being trimmed, it hints at lower yields and a weaker US dollar.

Large speculators increased their gross-long exposure to AUD/USD futures by 17.1% and trimmed shorts by -2.9% on the day of the RBA’s last hike. And this could be a significant development when you consider net-short exposure recently hit a record level of bearishness just six weeks ago, yet prices defied bears with a sustainable break beneath 63c.

It seems a combination of short covering and fresh initiation of longs helped AUD/USD enjoy its best week of the year last week, just a few weeks after large speculators hit a record level of net-short exposure. The same could likely be said for the Dow Jones which also reached a record level of net-short exposure. WTI crude oil failed to capitalise on the risk-on vibe and fell for a second week.

Large speculators were net-short GBP/USD futures for a fourth week and by their most bearish level in six months, with gross shorts rising to a 52-week high. The S&P 500 broke a key trendline last week as asset managers piled into shorting the E-mini index futures. WTI fell in line with last week's bias but may have found support over the neat-term. And investors piled into gold for a second week - ahead of gold's break above $2000.

Whilst traders remain net-long EUR/USD futures, there are early signs of a turnaround in sentiment with asset managers increasing bullish exposure and prices holding above 1.05. Despite higher WTI prices, large futures traders continued to reduce their long exposure while managed funds have increased their shorts.. Perhaps not too surprisingly, asset managers flipped back to net-long exposure to gold and silver futures last Tuesday.

Open interest has fallen notably on USD/JPY since its failed ‘bid’ for spot prices to break and hold above 150. And that further suggests a glass ceiling for prices. Japanese yen futures also saw grow longs increase by 19.6%, although traders remained heavily net-short.

The commitment of traders (COT) report shows how large speculators are positioned across futures markets on the CME exchange.