Energy: The combined net length in Brent (+27.3k lots) and WTI (-14.5k) crude oil rose by 12.8k lots to 414k lots, thereby highlighting a continued lack of interest in positioning for higher prices. The prospect for very tight market conditions due to sanctions on Russia and OPEC producers struggling to meet their production targets, have in recent weeks been offset by the release of oil from strategic reserves, prolonged lockdown in China and central banks stepping up efforts to lower inflation by killing demand through higher rates.
Despite falling domestic stocks of gasoline and especially diesel as well as robust exports, the WTI net long dropped to a two-year low at 240k lots, primarily driven by long liquidation.
Metals: Gold’s failed attempt in challenging $2000 and subsequent correction triggered another round of long liquidation from technical and momentum driven leveraged funds. The net long has cut by 19.7k lots to 125k, thereby surrendering most of the gains seen during the previous week. Small selling of silver as well as copper concluded a general negative week for the metals week.
Forex
Continued dollar strength in the holiday shortened Easter week to April 19 lifted the Bloomberg Dollar Index by 1% but failed to boost speculators overall appetite for dollars, with flows more about the crosses. Overall, the combined dollar long versus ten IMM currency futures and the Dollar index held steady near a five-week low at $14.5 billion. Selling of euro and Sterling being offset by demand for CHF, JPY and CAD while the net flow in AUD and was tiny.