In short
Speculators are net long GBP (flat over 12 weeks). Positioning sits at 8% of its 12-week range (flip 26th pct of 10y, z -0.81).
Weekly net positioning
Net non-commercial (large speculator) positioning over the last 12 weeks. A rising net means speculators are building longs; a falling net means they are building shorts.
| Week (Tuesday) | Net position | Week-over-week | Open interest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 15, 2026 | +18,878 | -15,749 | 314,293 |
| Sep 8, 2026 | +34,627 | -8,540 | 318,608 |
| Sep 1, 2026 | +43,167 | -4,742 | 317,961 |
| Aug 25, 2026 | +47,909 | +5,032 | 318,468 |
| Aug 18, 2026 | +42,877 | +2,207 | 286,371 |
| Aug 11, 2026 | +40,670 | +2,496 | 256,447 |
| Aug 4, 2026 | +38,174 | -2,923 | 246,577 |
| Jul 28, 2026 | +41,097 | +7,861 | 267,426 |
| Jul 21, 2026 | +33,236 | +4,695 | 262,281 |
| Jul 14, 2026 | +28,541 | +10,562 | 265,153 |
| Jul 7, 2026 | +17,979 | +1,706 | 282,969 |
| Jun 30, 2026 | +16,273 | — | 295,062 |
How to read this
The flip percentile normalizes British Pound net positioning against roughly ten years of history: 26.3% means speculators are leaning short versus their own history. The 10-year z-score (-0.81) confirms how stretched that is. Readings above the 90th percentile (or below the 10th) flag a crowded trade prone to a sharp unwind.
Positioning is a risk gauge, not an entry signal. Extremes can persist and get more extreme. Pair this with the fundamentals and a confirming move before fading a crowded trade. See how to read the COT report and using COT data to spot reversals. For the bigger picture on what moves the pound, read the British Pound fundamentals guide.
Frequently asked questions
- Are speculators net long or short British Pound?
- As of Sep 15, 2026, large speculators are net long the pound, with a net position of +18,878 contracts (63,991 long vs 45,113 short) in the CFTC Commitments of Traders report.
- Is British Pound positioning crowded right now?
- No. British Pound positioning sits at the 26.3% flip percentile of its 10-year range (z-score -0.81), which is not an extreme. Crowding warnings trigger above the 90th or below the 10th percentile.
- What is the COT flip percentile for British Pound?
- British Pound's flip percentile is 26.3% — where current normalized net positioning sits within roughly 10 years of history. Above 60 is long-side versus history, below 40 short-side; above 90 or below 10 is crowded.
- When is COT data for British Pound updated?
- Weekly. The CFTC releases the Commitments of Traders report every Friday at 3:30pm ET with positions as of the prior Tuesday. This page last updated with data as of Sep 15, 2026.