Speculative interest in gold futures eased in the latest reporting period, with CFTC data showing a decline in net long positions in the United States. According to figures updated on 22 May 2026, gold speculative net positions fell to 159.8K contracts, down from the previous reading of 171.6K.
The pullback in net long positions suggests that some investors have scaled back their bullish exposure to gold, potentially reflecting shifting expectations around macroeconomic conditions, monetary policy, or risk sentiment. While positioning remains net long, the reduction may indicate a more cautious stance among speculative traders after the prior build-up in gold bets.
