The COT Index is the percentile of the difference between net speculative positioning and net commercial positioning measured over a specific number of weeks (either 52 or 13). A reading close to 0 suggests that a bottom is forming and a reading close to 100 suggests that a top is forming. The readings are for the actual currency, not the currency pair. For example, a reading of 100 on the Canadian Dollar suggests that the Canadian Dollar is close to a top (USDCAD close to a bottom).
Readings of 95 and higher as well as 5 and lower are in boldfaced red type to indicate potential market extremes. For example, an increasing index is bullish until the index is extreme (near 100), at which time the risk of a reversal or pause in the trend increases.
US Dollar
[B]US Dollar Index[/B]: The 13 week index is at 0, which indicates a bearish sentiment extreme. Sentiment extremes occur near bottoms so expect a bottom and reversal in the USD.
[B]Implications[/B]: bottoming / bottomed?
Euro
[B]EUR[/B]: The 13 week index has turned from 100, which indicates a turn from a bullish sentiment extreme. Tops tend to occur in close proximity to readings of 100.
[B]Implications[/B]: topping / topped?
British Pound
[B]GBP[/B]: The 13 week index is at 100, which indicates a bullish sentiment extreme. Tops tend to occur in close proximity to readings of 100.
[B]Implications[/B]: topping / topped?
Australian Dollar
[B]AUD[/B]: The 13 week index is at 100, which indicates a bullish sentiment extreme. Tops tend to occur in close proximity to readings of 100.
[B]Implications[/B]: topping / topped?
New Zealand Dollar
[B]NZD[/B]: The 13 week index is at 100, which indicates a bullish sentiment extreme. Tops tend to occur in close proximity to readings of 100.
[B]Implications[/B]: topping / topped?
Japanese Yen
[B]JPY[/B]: The 13 week index is at 67 after having reached 100 a few weeks ago. At the time, we warned that readings of 100 indicate a bullish sentiment extreme and that the sentiment favors Yen bears (USDJPY bulls). Continue to favor Yen weakness until sentiment is extremely bearish (the index would be aty 0).
[B]Implications[/B]: bearish (USDJPY bullish)
Canadian Dollar
[B]CAD[/B]: The 13 week index is at 100, indicating a bullish sentiment extreme. Sentiment extremes occur at turns so favor CAD weakness (USDCAD bullish).
[B]Implications[/B]: topping / topped? (USDCAD bottoming / bottomed?)
Swiss Franc
[B]CHF[/B]: The 13 week index is at 100, which indicates a bullish sentiment extreme. Tops tend to occur in close proximity to readings of 100.
[B]Implications[/B]: topping / topped? (USDCHF bottoming / bottomed?)
[I]Jamie Saettele publishes Daily Technicals every weekday morning (930 am EST), COT analysis (published Monday mornings), technical analysis of currency crosses throughout the week (EUR on Tuesday, JPY on Wednesday, GBP on Thursday, AUD on Friday), and the DFX Trend Index every day after the NY close. He is also the author of Sentiment in the Forex Market.
Contact at <[email protected]>[/I]