VIX Non-Commercial Speculator Positions:
Large volatility speculators sharply cut back on their bearish net positions in the VIX 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 VIX futures, traded by large speculators and hedge funds, totaled a net position of -33,037 contracts in the data reported through Tuesday October 16th. This was a weekly rise of 80,566 contracts from the previous week which had a total of -113,603 net contracts.
This week’s strong pullback in bearish bets was the second straight week of declines and the largest one week decrease in bearish positions since February 6th when a similar stock selloff took place. The current standing still remains in a bearish net position but is at the lowest bearish level since May 22nd.
VIX Commercial Positions:
The commercial traders position, hedgers or traders engaged in buying and selling for business purposes, totaled a net position of 37,177 contracts on the week. This was a weekly decline of -82,724 contracts from the total net of 119,901 contracts reported the previous week.
VIX Futures:
Over the same weekly reporting time-frame, from Tuesday to Tuesday, the VIX Futures (Front Month) closed at approximately $17.27 which was a rise of $1.35 from the previous close of $15.92, according to unofficial market data.