CFTC_WTI_NONCOM_NET
WTI crude oil speculator positioning (CFTC COT)
Official name: WTI Crude Oil (NYMEX) — Non-commercial Net (Long - Short)
Latest value
302022.0000
as of 2026-04-07
All-time percentile
53th
1-year change
+62.8%
Time series
Showing 261 of 261 data points
About this series
Net long-minus-short positioning of non-commercial traders in WTI crude oil futures (NYMEX). Tracks how speculators are positioned in one of the most geopolitically-sensitive commodities.
Why it matters: Oil speculator positioning often tracks global growth expectations and geopolitical risk premium. Crashes in spec longs have preceded oil price bottoms; record longs have sometimes marked peaks ahead of demand shocks.
How to read it: Look at rate of change and extreme levels. Rapid unwinds of long positioning during oil price declines indicate capitulation (often near bottoms). Sustained record longs in a rising market sometimes mark the tail end.
Caveats: Commercial hedgers (producers, refiners) typically dominate oil positioning — they're naturally short. Spec behavior is somewhat predictable as a reaction to their hedging patterns.