2026.08.2119:30:00UTC+00Speculators Deepen Bearish Bets on U.S. Natural Gas Futures, CFTC Data Show

Speculative traders increased their net short positions in U.S. natural gas futures, according to the latest Commitments of Traders report from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) released on 21 August 2026. Net speculative positioning fell further to -203.5K contracts, compared with -197.1K in the previous reading, signaling a deeper bearish stance in the market.

The widening net short position suggests that hedge funds and other speculative participants are positioning for continued weakness or heightened downside risk in natural gas prices. While the data do not reveal the underlying drivers, the shift from -197.1K to -203.5K underlines growing skepticism about near-term price strength and reflects a more cautious sentiment toward the U.S. natural gas outlook.