2026.05.2919:30:00UTC+00Sterling Bears Trim Bets as CFTC Data Shows Slight Easing in Net Short GBP Positions

Speculative investors have modestly reduced their bearish bets on the British pound, according to the latest Commitments of Traders data from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), updated on 29 May 2026. Net speculative positions in GBP futures improved to -61.4K contracts, compared with -64.3K previously.

The shift indicates that while market participants remain broadly negative on sterling, the intensity of short positioning has eased slightly. This marginal covering of shorts may reflect a degree of profit-taking or a cautious reassessment of downside risks to the pound, even as overall sentiment remains tilted against the UK currency. Traders and analysts will now look to upcoming UK economic data and central bank signals to gauge whether this tentative move away from extreme bearishness on GBP will continue.