Gold Non-Commercial Speculator Positions:
Large precious metals speculators increased their bullish net positions in the Gold futures markets this week, according to the latest Commitment of Traders (COT) data released by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) on Friday.
The non-commercial futures contracts of Gold futures, traded by large speculators and hedge funds, totaled a net position of 75,960 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday December 18th. This was a weekly gain of 15,461 net contracts from the previous week which had a total of 60,499 net contracts.
This week’s net position was the result of the gross bullish position gaining by 12,568 contracts to a weekly total of 182,168 contracts compared to the gross bearish position which saw a decrease by -2,893 contracts for the week to a total of 106,208 contracts.
The net speculative position has now risen sharply for three straight weeks and by a total of 74,089 contracts over that period. The current speculator standing is now at the most bullish level since July 10th when the net position totaled 81,434 contracts.
Gold Commercial Positions:
The commercial traders position, hedgers or traders engaged in buying and selling for business purposes, totaled a net position of -92,675 contracts on the week. This was a weekly shortfall of -15,307 contracts from the total net of -77,368 contracts reported the previous week.
Gold Futures:
Over the same weekly reporting time-frame, from Tuesday to Tuesday, the Gold Futures (Front Month) closed at approximately $1253.60 which was an advance of $6.40 from the previous close of $1247.20, according to unofficial market data.