CFTC COT Report, Week to August 18, 2026: Japanese Yen Net Speculative Position Falls 15k
Speculators significantly increased their net short positions in the Japanese Yen last week, marking the largest shift among major currencies. Overall, leveraged funds largely reduced their net short exposure or grew their net long positions across several pairs, though some notable exceptions emerged.
Leveraged funds’ net short position in the Japanese Yen grew by -14.9k contracts, bringing their total net short to -68.0k. Asset managers also held a net short of -25.7k contracts, while legacy speculators were net short -52.9k.
The Mexican Peso saw leveraged funds’ net long position shrink by -11.0k contracts, settling at +65.3k. This position remains near the upper end of its 52-week net range of +26.0k to +76.3k. Asset managers were net long +62.2k, and legacy speculators were net long +79.5k.
Leveraged funds grew their net long position in the US Dollar Index by +2.3k contracts, reaching +8.1k. This places their net long position at the very top of its 52-week net range, which spans from -24.8k to +8.1k. Asset managers were net long +15.0k.
In the British Pound, leveraged funds grew their net long position by +2.2k contracts to +42.9k. This net long position is near its 52-week high of +43.5k. In contrast, asset managers maintained a significant net short position of -117.2k contracts.
Leveraged funds’ net short position in the Canadian Dollar shrank by +3.1k contracts, though they remain net short -88.9k. This net short position is near its 52-week low of -102.5k. Asset managers were also net short -89.5k, and legacy speculators were net short -158.2k.
Open interest changes were notable, with the British Pound seeing an increase of +29.9k contracts, and the Mexican Peso rising by +25.7k contracts.
The numbers, week to August 18, 2026
| Market | Leveraged funds net | Weekly change | Asset managers net | Legacy speculators net | Open interest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Euro (EUR) | -57.7k | +2.9k | +237.4k | -59.1k | 805k |
| Japanese Yen (JPY) | -68.0k | -14.9k | -25.7k | -52.9k | 381k |
| British Pound (GBP) | +42.9k | +2.2k | -117.2k | -54.6k | 286k |
| Australian Dollar (AUD) | +52.1k | +3.6k | -48.1k | -44.2k | 289k |
| Canadian Dollar (CAD) | -88.9k | +3.1k | -89.5k | -158.2k | 360k |
| Swiss Franc (CHF) | -9.1k | +2.4k | -37.1k | -27.3k | 114k |
| New Zealand Dollar (NZD) | -26.8k | +6.7k | -25.5k | -32.6k | 89k |
| Mexican Peso (MXN) | +65.3k | -11.0k | +62.2k | +79.5k | 285k |
| US Dollar Index (USD) | +8.1k | +2.3k | +15.0k | +19.1k | 48k |
Data: CFTC Traders in Financial Futures (futures only) and legacy Commitments of Traders reports. Net = long contracts minus short contracts. Positioning describes the state of the futures market, it is not trading advice.