Latest figures on S&P 500 speculative net positions show a notable reduction in bearish sentiment among futures traders in the United States. According to data updated on 13 March 2026, net speculative positions in S&P 500 futures improved to -134.5K contracts, compared with a previous level of -168.2K contracts.
While positioning remains net short, the smaller negative balance indicates that speculators have scaled back their pessimistic bets on the U.S. equity benchmark. This shift may reflect changing expectations around the outlook for U.S. stocks, with some traders either taking profit on earlier bearish positions or tentatively positioning for more stability or upside in the S&P 500. Market participants will be watching upcoming economic data and policy signals to gauge whether this trend toward reduced short positioning continues in the weeks ahead.
