Speculators Throw in the Towel on Gold

The above chart is from 321Gold. It matches the CTFC Report.

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Jump in Shorts

Last Week = (101,695 + 41,554) minus the jump (13,396 + 11,449) = 118,404

Increase in shorts = (13,396 + 11,449) = 24,845

Percentage Increase = 24,645 / 118,404 = 20.98%

Long Liquidation​

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Frequently one hears comments like "commercial reduced their short positions".

While arguably accurate, it conveys the wrong idea.

Commercial traders, except for producers who do sell short, simply take the opposite side of the trade. The commercial traders are not net short, they hedge.

Thus it is a more accurate summation to call this for what it is: Long liquidation. Gold longs are increasingly unconvinced and are throwing in the towel.

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Like Hickey, I believe speculators throwing in the towel and betting against gold is ultimately bullish.

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Hickey notes "The shorts have to cover." It's important to note that applies to speculators, not producers or hedgers.