Speculative positioning in U.S. crude oil futures turned more bullish in the latest reporting period, with net long positions climbing to 141.1K contracts, up from 135.9K previously. The data, published on 25 September 2026, comes from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) report on crude oil speculative net positions.
The increase in net longs indicates that hedge funds and other money managers have modestly expanded their expectations for higher oil prices. While the rise from the prior 135.9K suggests a continued appetite for crude exposure, the move is incremental rather than dramatic, pointing to a cautiously optimistic stance rather than an aggressive shift in sentiment.
Traders and analysts often monitor CFTC speculative positioning as a gauge of market sentiment and potential price momentum. The latest uptick in net long positions may support a firmer tone in crude prices, especially if it coincides with tightening supply conditions or improving demand signals in the broader energy market.
