2026.05.1519:30:00UTC+00Speculators Deepen Bearish Bets on S&P 500 Futures, CFTC Data Show

Speculative traders have increased their net short positions in S&P 500 futures, according to the latest data on CFTC S&P 500 speculative net positions for the United States. The net position widened from -103.9K contracts previously to -143.8K contracts, based on figures updated on 15 May 2026.

The move reflects a further build-up in bearish sentiment among speculative market participants, with a larger negative reading indicating a stronger tilt towards expectations of potential downside in the benchmark U.S. equity index. While the data do not explain the drivers behind the shift, the scale of the increase in net shorts underscores a notable change in positioning compared with the prior reading.