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US Dollar, EUR/USD, USD/JPY Analysis: Weekly COT Report Highlights

Speculators trimmed USD shorts and boosted long bets on EUR and gold. JPY net-longs eased again while AUD remains near its most bearish in 52 weeks.

Matt Simpson
Matt Simpson

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US Dollar, EUR/USD, USD/JPY Analysis: Weekly COT Report Highlights

The latest Commitment of Traders (COT) data shows shifting sentiment across major forex pairs and commodities, with the US dollar still under pressure but off extreme bearish levels. Large speculators increased their bullish bets on EUR/USD and gold futures, while sentiment towards the Japanese yen weakened further. Meanwhile, positioning in the Australian dollar remains near the most bearish levels seen over the past year.

Weekly Market Positioning Overview – COT Report Highlights (15 July 2025)

•    US Dollar (USD): Traders reduced their net-short exposure to US dollar futures by -$1.8 billion last week, to -$17.9 billion.
•    European dollar (EUR): Asset managers and large speculators increased net-long exposure to EUR/USD futures by a combined 18.8k contracts
•    British pound (GBP): Asset managers increased net-short exposure to GBP/USD futures by 14k contracts
•    Japanese yen (JPY): Net-long exposure fell by -12.6k contracts among large speculators
•    Australian dollar (AUD): Net-short exposure was effectively flat from the prior week at -74.9k contracts among large speculators
•    Canadian dollar (CAD): Net-short exposure increased by around 10k contracts between both sets of traders
•    Gold (GC): Net-long exposure increased by 10k contracts among large speculators
•    Crude Oil (WTI): Large speculators increased gross-shorts by 22k contracts and reduced longs by 24k contracts

Bar chart of large-speculative futures positioning as a percentage of open interest across major forex pairs—AUD, CAD, CHF, EUR, GBP, JPY, and NZD. Traders are net short AUD, CAD, CHF, and NZD, with the Australian dollar near its most bearish level in 52 weeks. Net-long positions dominate for EUR, GBP, and JPY, with euro and yen near bullish extremes. Highlights shifting sentiment in major currency markets and COT positioning trends. Source: CME, LSEG.Commitment of Traders (COT) chart showing percent rank of large-speculator positioning across major forex pairs (AUD/USD, CAD/USD, CHF/USD, EUR/USD, GBP/USD, JPY/USD, NZD/USD), commodities, indices, and bond futures. AUD and WTI crude oil show positioning near 3-year bearish extremes, while EUR, NZD, and JPY are closer to bullish highs. Percentile ranks highlight current sentiment relative to historical ranges, with euro and New Zealand dollar net longs near 100% rank. Source: CME, LSEG.

Chart prepared by Matt Simpson - data source: CME, LSEG

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US Dollar Positioning (IMM Data): Weekly COT Report Analysis

Traders remained heavily net-short on the US dollar last week, with futures exposure sitting at -$17.9 billion (or -$16.1 billion when isolating G10 currencies). While net-short positioning has eased by $3 billion from its record level four weeks ago, this still signals a potential sentiment extreme. That said, traders should be cautious—particularly with some Federal Reserve officials now openly discussing rate cuts, which could accelerate if political pressure mounts ahead of the election.

Chart of US dollar futures net exposure in billions, overlaid with the US Dollar Index (DXY). Net-short USD positions remain elevated near -$17.9 billion, though slightly reduced from recent extremes. The chart highlights shifting trader sentiment and downside risks to the US dollar if the Federal Reserve moves to cut interest rates.

Chart prepared by Matt Simpson - data source: CME, LSEG

 

JPY/USD Positioning: Japanese Yen Futures – Weekly COT Report

Large speculators decreased their net-long exposure to Japanese yen futures for a third week, or for the 10th week over the past 11. Asset managers reduced their net-long exposure for a second week, though both sets of traders remain predominantly net-long by a combined 172k contracts. 

Given net-long exposure topped out early May at a record high and has been trending lower since, this could suggest there is further downside for yen prices – which could be bullish for USD/JPY. Still, much of that likely comes down to the Fed’s ability to cut rates and whether President Trump gets his way.

Chart of large speculative positioning in USD/JPY futures showing net exposure and weekly change by speculators, overlaid with EUR/USD futures prices for context. Net-long JPY positions have declined for a third straight week, with asset managers also trimming longs. Despite a still-elevated net-long total (~172k contracts), the trend suggests weakening bullish sentiment on the Japanese yen—potentially bullish for USD/JPY if the US dollar strengthens.

Chart prepared by Matt Simpson - data source: CME, LSEG

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EUR/USD Positioning: Euro Futures – Weekly COT Report

Large speculators increased their net-long exposure to EUR/USD futures to 128.2k contracts—marking their most bullish positioning since December 2023. Asset managers also turned their most bullish since January 2024. However, neither group appears to be positioned at a sentiment extreme, suggesting there could be further room to build long exposure if bullish momentum continues.

Chart of EUR/USD large speculative positioning showing net exposure, asset manager positioning, and EUR/USD futures prices. Net-long exposure by speculators rose to its highest level since December 2023 at 128.2k contracts, while asset managers reached their most bullish level since January 2024. The data suggests growing optimism toward the euro versus the US dollar, without yet hitting sentiment extremes.

Chart prepared by Matt Simpson - data source: CME, LSEG

 

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