Energy & Metals — COT Positioning
CFTC Disaggregated Commitments of Traders · Combined Futures & Options
Week of May 22, 2026 Crude Oil (WTI) · RBOB Gasoline · Gold · Silver · Copper
Data: CFTC weekly release
Market Positioning — Energy & Metals
Percentile rankings relative to full available history (2010–present) · Managed Money = hedge funds & CTAs · Commercial = producers, merchants & swap dealers
WTI Crude Oil
CFTC Code 067651 · COT data through 2026-05-19
96.60 $/bbl
MM Net Position
+138,774
Managed money long minus short
23th pct
MM Gross Long
216,414 cts
Managed money gross long contracts
24th pct
MM Gross Short
77,640 cts
Managed money gross short contracts
71th pct
MM Week-over-Week
+9,192
Change in managed money net
Open Interest
2,778,530 cts
Total open interest (all participants)
74th pct
Commercial Net
-286,298
Prod/merchant + swap dealer net
67th pct
Price WoW Change
-8.82 $/bbl
-8.4%  ·  latest 96.60 $/bbl
Managed money is Moderately Short (23th percentile) relative to the full history of this market. Managed money added 9,192 net contracts week-over-week. Commercial hedgers hold a net short position of 286,298 contracts. Open interest is at an elevated level historically (74th percentile).

Managed money (hedge funds & CTAs) net long position by week of year, overlapping across all available years. Extreme readings — especially multi-year highs or lows — historically coincide with price turning points.

WTI Crude Oil managed money net position by week
Date2026 ('000 cts)2025 ('000 cts)2024 ('000 cts)
Jan 0622.6246.489.3
Jan 1342.5230.7111.1
Jan 2053.4250.990.2
Jan 2763.0191.8134.1
Feb 0380.4140.5150.2
Feb 1086.3122.295.0
Feb 1781.2103.3115.7
Feb 2498.267.6134.2
Mar 03108.4103.9174.7
Mar 10136.4115.8184.0
Mar 17147.996.5169.9
Mar 24149.091.8220.0
Mar 31130.794.6217.4
Apr 07137.869.5229.5
Apr 14144.2111.2238.2
Apr 21143.4147.3203.9
Apr 28135.5154.0179.6
May 05132.0143.9172.7
May 12129.6139.3117.7
May 19138.8128.9128.7

Commercial hedger net position (producers, merchants, and swap dealers combined). Commercials are structurally short (forward sellers); a move toward net long is historically bullish.

WTI Crude Oil commercial net position by week
Date2026 ('000 cts)2025 ('000 cts)2024 ('000 cts)
Jan 06-124.0-303.4-217.3
Jan 13-132.0-332.5-216.7
Jan 20-165.6-339.5-211.0
Jan 27-182.9-307.7-228.3
Feb 03-218.1-274.0-244.8
Feb 10-223.4-257.5-217.6
Feb 17-244.9-239.1-217.3
Feb 24-289.5-223.6-238.3
Mar 03-301.9-209.8-264.0
Mar 10-356.2-212.6-288.6
Mar 17-360.9-205.3-280.2
Mar 24-363.9-208.9-323.7
Mar 31-350.3-195.6-330.0
Apr 07-334.9-184.6-346.2
Apr 14-337.9-187.8-353.6
Apr 21-325.5-205.3-346.3
Apr 28-318.1-223.2-322.3
May 05-311.3-216.1-321.1
May 12-293.5-219.4-272.4
May 19-286.3-217.0-261.9

Managed money gross long contracts by week of year. Elevated gross longs signal crowded positioning and potential liquidation pressure if sentiment shifts.

WTI Crude Oil managed money gross long by week
Date2026 ('000 cts)2025 ('000 cts)2024 ('000 cts)
Jan 06151.4285.8210.0
Jan 13168.5277.9211.6
Jan 20168.4281.2202.4
Jan 27171.4233.5212.7
Feb 03178.3198.0215.1
Feb 10177.3198.6172.2
Feb 17182.6185.3183.2
Feb 24191.8174.8192.3
Mar 03179.8172.6215.1
Mar 10192.5170.2212.0
Mar 17213.2175.5203.6
Mar 24215.9179.5242.6
Mar 31214.8181.2257.0
Apr 07223.1155.1268.8
Apr 14226.2180.8278.0
Apr 21220.5196.7274.7
Apr 28219.7201.4248.1
May 05214.0210.0250.8
May 12214.1199.0213.7
May 19216.4192.4203.8

Managed money gross short contracts by week of year. Elevated gross shorts represent potential short-covering fuel — a catalyst can force rapid buybacks and amplify a rally.

WTI Crude Oil managed money gross short by week
Date2026 ('000 cts)2025 ('000 cts)2024 ('000 cts)
Jan 06128.939.4120.7
Jan 13126.047.3100.5
Jan 20115.030.4112.2
Jan 27108.441.778.6
Feb 0398.057.464.8
Feb 1091.076.477.2
Feb 17101.481.967.5
Feb 2493.6107.358.2
Mar 0371.468.740.4
Mar 1056.054.428.0
Mar 1765.379.033.7
Mar 2466.987.722.6
Mar 3184.086.639.6
Apr 0785.385.639.3
Apr 1481.969.739.8
Apr 2177.149.470.8
Apr 2884.147.468.4
May 0582.166.178.1
May 1284.559.796.0
May 1977.663.575.1

Total open interest across all participant categories. Rising OI with a directional move confirms the trend; falling OI suggests position liquidation rather than new conviction.

WTI Crude Oil total open interest by week
Date2026 ('000 cts)2025 ('000 cts)2024 ('000 cts)
Jan 062,382.12,368.12,037.2
Jan 132,533.72,384.52,059.1
Jan 202,438.32,297.42,084.2
Jan 272,585.12,226.92,095.7
Feb 032,688.72,220.92,253.2
Feb 102,680.22,252.02,271.2
Feb 172,577.12,124.72,222.6
Feb 242,724.62,177.72,098.4
Mar 032,889.12,266.12,118.6
Mar 103,138.82,313.02,098.8
Mar 173,011.82,211.92,177.3
Mar 242,952.22,225.02,218.8
Mar 313,039.62,312.32,276.0
Apr 073,128.62,689.62,339.5
Apr 143,085.62,618.72,381.4
Apr 212,804.62,453.82,468.8
Apr 282,893.82,538.82,214.3
May 053,009.52,651.02,244.6
May 123,032.52,582.52,292.0
May 192,778.52,377.42,242.5

Nearby futures price (CL=F). Price shown for context; COT positioning is the primary signal.

RBOB Gasoline
CFTC Code 111659 · COT data through 2026-05-19
3.35 $/gal
MM Net Position
+62,629
Managed money long minus short
66th pct
MM Gross Long
68,870 cts
Managed money gross long contracts
48th pct
MM Gross Short
6,241 cts
Managed money gross short contracts
16th pct
MM Week-over-Week
-1,114
Change in managed money net
Open Interest
322,416 cts
Total open interest (all participants)
31th pct
Commercial Net
-64,967
Prod/merchant + swap dealer net
54th pct
Price WoW Change
-0.35 $/gal
-9.5%  ·  latest 3.35 $/gal
Managed money is Moderately Long (66th percentile) relative to the full history of this market. Managed money reduced 1,114 net contracts week-over-week. Commercial hedgers hold a net short position of 64,967 contracts. Open interest is near historical average levels (31th percentile).

Managed money (hedge funds & CTAs) net long position by week of year, overlapping across all available years. Extreme readings — especially multi-year highs or lows — historically coincide with price turning points.

RBOB Gasoline managed money net position by week
Date2026 ('000 cts)2025 ('000 cts)2024 ('000 cts)
Jan 0649.553.469.3
Jan 1358.557.262.1
Jan 2062.150.659.2
Jan 2765.440.466.9
Feb 0367.946.868.4
Feb 1080.148.757.0
Feb 1778.045.962.1
Feb 2489.127.961.4
Mar 0385.820.461.0
Mar 1077.06.060.0
Mar 1779.929.266.8
Mar 2472.334.376.5
Mar 3164.344.679.0
Apr 0760.127.483.6
Apr 1457.316.384.9
Apr 2159.017.979.5
Apr 2862.823.373.0
May 0566.429.467.8
May 1263.739.348.9
May 1962.641.444.3

Commercial hedger net position (producers, merchants, and swap dealers combined). Commercials are structurally short (forward sellers); a move toward net long is historically bullish.

RBOB Gasoline commercial net position by week
Date2026 ('000 cts)2025 ('000 cts)2024 ('000 cts)
Jan 06-74.8-68.3-83.4
Jan 13-79.7-73.1-77.0
Jan 20-79.9-65.3-74.1
Jan 27-87.4-58.2-81.4
Feb 03-89.4-61.2-82.5
Feb 10-104.4-67.9-71.6
Feb 17-102.6-65.0-76.0
Feb 24-111.7-45.0-72.8
Mar 03-105.7-36.1-70.0
Mar 10-90.1-15.6-67.1
Mar 17-95.9-38.3-71.7
Mar 24-84.5-43.5-82.0
Mar 31-82.3-58.5-88.2
Apr 07-75.2-37.8-96.5
Apr 14-66.7-22.1-96.0
Apr 21-72.4-23.5-91.3
Apr 28-69.7-32.9-85.3
May 05-73.9-39.6-79.6
May 12-71.0-49.8-62.6
May 19-65.0-50.8-56.0

Managed money gross long contracts by week of year. Elevated gross longs signal crowded positioning and potential liquidation pressure if sentiment shifts.

RBOB Gasoline managed money gross long by week
Date2026 ('000 cts)2025 ('000 cts)2024 ('000 cts)
Jan 0677.672.580.2
Jan 1382.979.973.9
Jan 2085.679.272.4
Jan 2791.470.080.2
Feb 0392.972.581.7
Feb 1094.572.772.2
Feb 1791.569.980.7
Feb 2497.558.681.2
Mar 0392.158.473.6
Mar 1081.959.371.1
Mar 1783.665.275.4
Mar 2476.870.290.5
Mar 3169.075.697.3
Apr 0764.058.099.0
Apr 1463.752.9106.7
Apr 2165.855.0106.0
Apr 2869.155.999.8
May 0572.756.196.8
May 1269.064.376.9
May 1968.967.769.3

Managed money gross short contracts by week of year. Elevated gross shorts represent potential short-covering fuel — a catalyst can force rapid buybacks and amplify a rally.

RBOB Gasoline managed money gross short by week
Date2026 ('000 cts)2025 ('000 cts)2024 ('000 cts)
Jan 0628.119.110.9
Jan 1324.422.711.8
Jan 2023.528.713.2
Jan 2726.029.613.3
Feb 0325.025.713.3
Feb 1014.524.015.2
Feb 1713.524.018.5
Feb 248.330.719.8
Mar 036.338.112.6
Mar 104.953.311.0
Mar 173.836.18.6
Mar 244.535.913.9
Mar 314.631.018.3
Apr 074.030.615.4
Apr 146.436.621.8
Apr 216.737.126.4
Apr 286.332.626.8
May 056.326.729.0
May 125.225.028.0
May 196.226.325.0

Total open interest across all participant categories. Rising OI with a directional move confirms the trend; falling OI suggests position liquidation rather than new conviction.

RBOB Gasoline total open interest by week
Date2026 ('000 cts)2025 ('000 cts)2024 ('000 cts)
Jan 06422.0379.9333.9
Jan 13452.9404.5344.0
Jan 20458.7433.1356.5
Jan 27465.9427.1368.7
Feb 03470.8414.4366.1
Feb 10465.1418.7377.0
Feb 17466.5428.5388.7
Feb 24468.5425.9391.1
Mar 03415.3420.6378.0
Mar 10393.2446.6369.4
Mar 17383.1443.2379.5
Mar 24357.5446.8384.0
Mar 31331.4424.4386.5
Apr 07323.5425.3407.0
Apr 14339.8421.6426.0
Apr 21332.5412.3417.2
Apr 28315.4388.1416.2
May 05314.2400.5415.6
May 12330.1399.8408.0
May 19322.4402.9407.9

Nearby futures price (RB=F). Price shown for context; COT positioning is the primary signal.

Gold
CFTC Code 088691 · COT data through 2026-05-19
4,523.20 $/oz
MM Net Position
+94,388
Managed money long minus short
37th pct
MM Gross Long
124,058 cts
Managed money gross long contracts
25th pct
MM Gross Short
29,670 cts
Managed money gross short contracts
41th pct
MM Week-over-Week
-6,239
Change in managed money net
Open Interest
543,416 cts
Total open interest (all participants)
1th pct
Commercial Net
-181,906
Prod/merchant + swap dealer net
63th pct
Price WoW Change
-32.60 $/oz
-0.7%  ·  latest 4,523.20 $/oz
Managed money is Moderately Short (37th percentile) relative to the full history of this market. Managed money reduced 6,239 net contracts week-over-week. Commercial hedgers hold a net short position of 181,906 contracts. Open interest is at a depressed level historically (1th percentile).

Managed money (hedge funds & CTAs) net long position by week of year, overlapping across all available years. Extreme readings — especially multi-year highs or lows — historically coincide with price turning points.

Gold managed money net position by week
Date2026 ('000 cts)2025 ('000 cts)2024 ('000 cts)
Jan 06124.3194.5137.5
Jan 13136.5212.5106.3
Jan 20139.2234.4100.6
Jan 27121.4230.676.6
Feb 0393.4230.272.0
Feb 1093.0215.682.6
Feb 1796.1202.046.4
Feb 2499.9194.464.3
Mar 03100.9182.668.0
Mar 10102.2182.2131.1
Mar 17105.9200.2159.6
Mar 2492.8192.7157.5
Mar 3193.9176.6157.7
Apr 0792.1138.5178.2
Apr 1498.8136.9179.1
Apr 2195.5125.7172.9
Apr 2891.6115.9176.2
May 0595.7112.3167.1
May 12100.6110.9163.1
May 1994.4118.6172.9

Commercial hedger net position (producers, merchants, and swap dealers combined). Commercials are structurally short (forward sellers); a move toward net long is historically bullish.

Gold commercial net position by week
Date2026 ('000 cts)2025 ('000 cts)2024 ('000 cts)
Jan 06-260.4-278.5-246.2
Jan 13-279.2-302.1-221.1
Jan 20-270.9-329.2-211.0
Jan 27-250.8-330.8-195.7
Feb 03-206.0-335.3-174.4
Feb 10-194.8-318.1-183.2
Feb 17-193.3-301.4-152.4
Feb 24-206.1-295.2-161.1
Mar 03-203.8-277.4-160.4
Mar 10-207.4-271.9-221.6
Mar 17-203.7-294.4-237.0
Mar 24-199.4-286.8-232.7
Mar 31-200.1-276.8-236.6
Apr 07-192.5-235.4-253.0
Apr 14-200.7-246.3-255.1
Apr 21-201.2-221.1-252.6
Apr 28-190.2-209.7-252.6
May 05-194.0-211.0-253.8
May 12-205.6-206.6-253.7
May 19-181.9-213.2-260.4

Managed money gross long contracts by week of year. Elevated gross longs signal crowded positioning and potential liquidation pressure if sentiment shifts.

Gold managed money gross long by week
Date2026 ('000 cts)2025 ('000 cts)2024 ('000 cts)
Jan 06144.9206.7179.5
Jan 13156.8221.6150.5
Jan 20159.8239.9146.6
Jan 27141.8242.8124.6
Feb 03117.2255.0122.9
Feb 10116.2243.4127.2
Feb 17120.3231.8109.4
Feb 24122.4223.5110.1
Mar 03124.0217.1115.0
Mar 10126.1215.6164.6
Mar 17131.2235.4190.4
Mar 24119.7226.7186.7
Mar 31120.5216.3183.3
Apr 07122.4181.0204.5
Apr 14128.6175.2208.6
Apr 21125.9164.4198.3
Apr 28124.3155.3200.1
May 05124.7147.6192.2
May 12129.1148.3189.2
May 19124.1153.3199.5

Managed money gross short contracts by week of year. Elevated gross shorts represent potential short-covering fuel — a catalyst can force rapid buybacks and amplify a rally.

Gold managed money gross short by week
Date2026 ('000 cts)2025 ('000 cts)2024 ('000 cts)
Jan 0620.712.241.9
Jan 1320.29.144.2
Jan 2020.65.646.0
Jan 2720.412.248.0
Feb 0323.824.851.0
Feb 1023.127.844.6
Feb 1724.329.863.0
Feb 2422.429.145.7
Mar 0323.234.547.0
Mar 1023.933.533.6
Mar 1725.335.330.8
Mar 2427.034.029.2
Mar 3126.739.825.5
Apr 0730.342.626.3
Apr 1429.838.329.5
Apr 2130.438.725.4
Apr 2832.739.424.0
May 0529.035.225.0
May 1228.437.426.1
May 1929.734.626.6

Total open interest across all participant categories. Rising OI with a directional move confirms the trend; falling OI suggests position liquidation rather than new conviction.

Gold total open interest by week
Date2026 ('000 cts)2025 ('000 cts)2024 ('000 cts)
Jan 06772.3690.5700.9
Jan 13844.0757.0665.3
Jan 20871.6845.1668.5
Jan 27793.8805.3642.6
Feb 03732.3837.2580.4
Feb 10726.2867.5575.7
Feb 17723.9871.1576.2
Feb 24699.8773.0567.3
Mar 03699.9756.3551.9
Mar 10709.9779.3706.1
Mar 17681.4870.0776.1
Mar 24692.2826.6789.1
Mar 31559.0851.4723.4
Apr 07550.5775.7797.9
Apr 14565.2884.9865.8
Apr 21556.9978.9924.2
Apr 28521.6862.6898.0
May 05527.0902.8841.0
May 12545.1832.4861.4
May 19543.4861.1875.2

Nearby futures price (GC=F). Price shown for context; COT positioning is the primary signal.

Silver
CFTC Code 084691 · COT data through 2026-05-19
76.20 $/oz
MM Net Position
+11,761
Managed money long minus short
32th pct
MM Gross Long
18,536 cts
Managed money gross long contracts
4th pct
MM Gross Short
6,775 cts
Managed money gross short contracts
18th pct
MM Week-over-Week
-4,434
Change in managed money net
Open Interest
126,166 cts
Total open interest (all participants)
0th pct
Commercial Net
-42,803
Prod/merchant + swap dealer net
57th pct
Price WoW Change
-0.96 $/oz
-1.2%  ·  latest 76.20 $/oz
Managed money is Moderately Short (32th percentile) relative to the full history of this market. Managed money reduced 4,434 net contracts week-over-week. Commercial hedgers hold a net short position of 42,803 contracts. Open interest is at a depressed level historically (0th percentile).

Managed money (hedge funds & CTAs) net long position by week of year, overlapping across all available years. Extreme readings — especially multi-year highs or lows — historically coincide with price turning points.

Silver managed money net position by week
Date2026 ('000 cts)2025 ('000 cts)2024 ('000 cts)
Jan 0617.725.616.0
Jan 1315.028.87.9
Jan 2011.329.56.0
Jan 277.326.3-3.2
Feb 034.537.45.0
Feb 104.635.1-4.8
Feb 176.239.4-9.6
Feb 248.033.05.4
Mar 037.334.2-4.1
Mar 109.742.215.5
Mar 179.349.626.7
Mar 2410.945.837.8
Mar 3110.841.430.2
Apr 0710.021.934.1
Apr 1411.023.338.5
Apr 218.926.241.0
Apr 2810.731.340.0
May 0510.930.233.8
May 1216.228.534.9
May 1911.830.641.6

Commercial hedger net position (producers, merchants, and swap dealers combined). Commercials are structurally short (forward sellers); a move toward net long is historically bullish.

Silver commercial net position by week
Date2026 ('000 cts)2025 ('000 cts)2024 ('000 cts)
Jan 06-50.6-52.7-48.8
Jan 13-54.0-55.9-41.3
Jan 20-45.5-59.6-40.7
Jan 27-44.0-57.9-30.2
Feb 03-44.6-66.9-35.2
Feb 10-40.8-66.5-30.0
Feb 17-41.3-70.3-25.7
Feb 24-39.4-68.3-35.5
Mar 03-39.1-68.5-30.2
Mar 10-40.9-75.4-44.4
Mar 17-37.3-79.5-54.4
Mar 24-38.4-78.6-64.1
Mar 31-38.2-74.6-62.7
Apr 07-38.2-61.6-66.9
Apr 14-40.1-61.6-70.7
Apr 21-40.7-63.0-72.8
Apr 28-41.0-68.0-74.9
May 05-40.9-66.5-70.8
May 12-44.8-64.9-70.2
May 19-42.8-64.9-77.6

Managed money gross long contracts by week of year. Elevated gross longs signal crowded positioning and potential liquidation pressure if sentiment shifts.

Silver managed money gross long by week
Date2026 ('000 cts)2025 ('000 cts)2024 ('000 cts)
Jan 0626.442.538.3
Jan 1322.245.432.0
Jan 2020.148.431.5
Jan 2717.746.928.9
Feb 0312.257.033.3
Feb 1011.754.831.9
Feb 1711.359.132.4
Feb 2413.351.236.6
Mar 0312.747.833.1
Mar 1013.155.141.0
Mar 1712.662.945.7
Mar 2414.760.253.7
Mar 3114.657.953.8
Apr 0713.734.658.2
Apr 1414.835.661.1
Apr 2113.636.960.5
Apr 2815.142.859.9
May 0516.243.755.6
May 1222.243.655.2
May 1918.545.761.3

Managed money gross short contracts by week of year. Elevated gross shorts represent potential short-covering fuel — a catalyst can force rapid buybacks and amplify a rally.

Silver managed money gross short by week
Date2026 ('000 cts)2025 ('000 cts)2024 ('000 cts)
Jan 068.716.922.3
Jan 137.216.624.1
Jan 208.818.825.5
Jan 2710.420.532.1
Feb 037.719.728.3
Feb 107.119.736.7
Feb 175.119.742.0
Feb 245.318.231.2
Mar 035.413.637.2
Mar 103.412.825.5
Mar 173.313.319.0
Mar 243.814.415.9
Mar 313.816.523.6
Apr 073.612.624.1
Apr 143.812.322.6
Apr 214.710.719.5
Apr 284.411.619.9
May 055.313.521.8
May 126.015.120.3
May 196.815.119.7

Total open interest across all participant categories. Rising OI with a directional move confirms the trend; falling OI suggests position liquidation rather than new conviction.

Silver total open interest by week
Date2026 ('000 cts)2025 ('000 cts)2024 ('000 cts)
Jan 06235.1179.0153.9
Jan 13237.3179.6151.9
Jan 20244.0192.0154.1
Jan 27228.4192.4162.5
Feb 03210.1207.1158.8
Feb 10201.0196.9169.9
Feb 17198.7207.4176.8
Feb 24168.9187.3172.8
Mar 03156.4170.7162.5
Mar 10158.7182.3166.3
Mar 17154.9203.4175.8
Mar 24156.0197.3192.5
Mar 31145.2197.1191.5
Apr 07144.3184.8211.0
Apr 14147.6174.6239.5
Apr 21144.5180.3242.5
Apr 28120.7178.3239.0
May 05117.6166.5213.7
May 12132.6163.1211.9
May 19126.2166.3229.6

Nearby futures price (SI=F). Price shown for context; COT positioning is the primary signal.

Copper
CFTC Code 085692 · COT data through 2026-05-19
6.38 $/lb
MM Net Position
+74,999
Managed money long minus short
99th pct
MM Gross Long
88,284 cts
Managed money gross long contracts
92th pct
MM Gross Short
13,285 cts
Managed money gross short contracts
9th pct
MM Week-over-Week
+1,476
Change in managed money net
Open Interest
286,261 cts
Total open interest (all participants)
78th pct
Commercial Net
-85,896
Prod/merchant + swap dealer net
0th pct
Price WoW Change
+0.13 $/lb
+2.0%  ·  latest 6.38 $/lb
Managed money is Heavily Long (99th percentile) relative to the full history of this market. Managed money added 1,476 net contracts week-over-week. Commercial hedgers hold a net short position of 85,896 contracts. Open interest is at an elevated level historically (78th percentile).

Managed money (hedge funds & CTAs) net long position by week of year, overlapping across all available years. Extreme readings — especially multi-year highs or lows — historically coincide with price turning points.

Copper managed money net position by week
Date2026 ('000 cts)2025 ('000 cts)2024 ('000 cts)
Jan 0666.96.110.1
Jan 1362.213.9-16.8
Jan 2061.717.9-25.3
Jan 2756.715.5-30.8
Feb 0354.317.2-3.3
Feb 1054.321.7-20.6
Feb 1752.726.6-42.3
Feb 2451.018.2-8.8
Mar 0348.58.74.4
Mar 1047.713.7-8.6
Mar 1746.722.48.5
Mar 2435.833.639.3
Mar 3139.331.320.3
Apr 0738.814.115.4
Apr 1452.114.550.7
Apr 2159.116.653.0
Apr 2860.820.067.2
May 0563.123.364.3
May 1273.524.866.0
May 1975.022.072.8

Commercial hedger net position (producers, merchants, and swap dealers combined). Commercials are structurally short (forward sellers); a move toward net long is historically bullish.

Copper commercial net position by week
Date2026 ('000 cts)2025 ('000 cts)2024 ('000 cts)
Jan 06-70.6-6.3-11.8
Jan 13-67.1-13.38.4
Jan 20-69.1-19.922.5
Jan 27-65.4-17.527.4
Feb 03-62.7-16.87.3
Feb 10-61.0-22.210.7
Feb 17-74.9-22.430.7
Feb 24-72.6-19.117.9
Mar 03-69.7-12.82.5
Mar 10-63.3-18.04.4
Mar 17-60.9-21.8-6.8
Mar 24-47.1-27.1-42.6
Mar 31-51.0-25.8-32.0
Apr 07-53.0-15.6-30.3
Apr 14-63.8-14.3-51.0
Apr 21-69.4-17.5-56.0
Apr 28-72.0-17.4-63.2
May 05-71.8-19.5-66.1
May 12-85.6-21.3-69.5
May 19-85.9-20.7-69.4

Managed money gross long contracts by week of year. Elevated gross longs signal crowded positioning and potential liquidation pressure if sentiment shifts.

Copper managed money gross long by week
Date2026 ('000 cts)2025 ('000 cts)2024 ('000 cts)
Jan 0674.169.255.8
Jan 1370.865.145.6
Jan 2071.767.844.6
Jan 2772.566.547.3
Feb 0368.670.455.0
Feb 1067.875.651.4
Feb 1764.275.953.5
Feb 2464.370.164.1
Mar 0364.364.554.5
Mar 1063.568.152.2
Mar 1762.072.769.9
Mar 2451.175.899.8
Mar 3154.969.493.2
Apr 0756.650.999.6
Apr 1468.450.1119.6
Apr 2174.451.9115.4
Apr 2875.952.3121.3
May 0580.352.0126.6
May 1287.653.6132.6
May 1988.350.1141.2

Managed money gross short contracts by week of year. Elevated gross shorts represent potential short-covering fuel — a catalyst can force rapid buybacks and amplify a rally.

Copper managed money gross short by week
Date2026 ('000 cts)2025 ('000 cts)2024 ('000 cts)
Jan 067.263.045.8
Jan 138.751.262.4
Jan 2010.049.969.9
Jan 2715.751.078.1
Feb 0314.353.258.4
Feb 1013.553.972.0
Feb 1711.549.395.8
Feb 2413.351.972.9
Mar 0315.955.850.1
Mar 1015.854.560.8
Mar 1715.450.361.4
Mar 2415.342.260.6
Mar 3115.638.173.0
Apr 0717.836.884.2
Apr 1416.235.669.0
Apr 2115.235.362.5
Apr 2815.132.354.1
May 0517.228.762.3
May 1214.128.866.7
May 1913.328.168.4

Total open interest across all participant categories. Rising OI with a directional move confirms the trend; falling OI suggests position liquidation rather than new conviction.

Copper total open interest by week
Date2026 ('000 cts)2025 ('000 cts)2024 ('000 cts)
Jan 06307.6249.4208.0
Jan 13310.5247.2225.4
Jan 20314.8254.7240.5
Jan 27305.3263.4256.3
Feb 03315.6266.5255.0
Feb 10304.4290.7268.9
Feb 17303.1286.2283.7
Feb 24280.4243.8258.4
Mar 03264.0243.5208.3
Mar 10254.1259.0217.2
Mar 17248.2278.6250.0
Mar 24244.6302.5326.0
Mar 31239.8288.9326.9
Apr 07243.8284.1348.6
Apr 14270.3256.2380.8
Apr 21272.8247.6384.5
Apr 28246.3224.3409.5
May 05248.3226.1382.6
May 12291.2228.8392.2
May 19286.3236.5425.6

Nearby futures price (HG=F). Price shown for context; COT positioning is the primary signal.

The Positioning Report — Energy & Metals — May 22, 2026 Data through: COT: May 24, 2026 Source: SoftSignal Research | https://reports.getsoftsignal.com/2026/positioning_energy_metals_bf1812d5.html MANAGED MONEY POSITIONING: WTI Crude Oil +138,774 cts 23th pct moderately short RBOB Gasoline +62,629 cts 66th pct moderately long Gold +94,388 cts 37th pct neutral Silver +11,761 cts 32th pct moderately short Copper +74,999 cts 99th pct heavily long