Speculative Bets Against S&P 500 Edge Lower as Net Shorts Deepen Slightly

Speculative positioning in S&P 500 futures showed a marginal increase in bearish sentiment, according to the latest data from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). As of 11 September 2026, net speculative positions in the S&P 500 stood at -76.0K, a slight deterioration from the previous reading of -75.9K.

The minor shift indicates that traders remain net short on the U.S. benchmark index, with only a very small increase in overall bearish positioning compared with the prior period. While the move is minimal, it underscores a continued cautious stance among speculative investors toward U.S. equities, as reflected in futures market positioning.