Net speculative positions in S&P 500 futures became slightly less bearish in the latest week, according to updated data from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) released on 24 April 2026.
Speculative net positions in the S&P 500 moved to -110.1K contracts, compared with -115.8K previously. While positioning remains firmly in net short territory, the reduction in bearish bets suggests some traders are scaling back expectations of further downside in the U.S. equity benchmark.
The shift in futures positioning will be closely watched by market participants as a potential signal of changing sentiment toward U.S. stocks, particularly amid evolving views on growth, inflation, and the Federal Reserve’s policy path.
