2026.05.0819:30:00UTC+00Speculators Deepen Net Short Bets on S&P 500 Futures, CFTC Data Show

Speculative traders have slightly increased their bearish exposure to U.S. equities, according to the latest Commitments of Traders data on S&P 500 futures. The CFTC figures, updated on 08 May 2026, show that net speculative positions in S&P 500 contracts fell to -103.9K from a previous level of -101.4K.

The move reflects a modest expansion in net short positioning, indicating that speculative market participants have become incrementally more cautious or defensive on the U.S. benchmark index. While the change is not dramatic, the persistence of a sizeable negative net position underscores ongoing skepticism among traders about the near‑term trajectory of the S&P 500.