The Commitments of Traders (COT) report is the primary focus of our research. This weekly report published by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) details the actions of the commodity markets’ three main participants; the commercials, large speculators, and non-reportables. We track the battle between the commercial traders and the large speculators. The commercial traders are the people who have a physical relationship with the commodity market in question while the large speculators are exactly what the name implies. There’s an adage in the commodity markets along the lines of, “90% of speculators lose money in commodities.” Our analysis has repeatedly shown that the large speculators have their most significant positions on at the most inopportune moments. We track these speculative bubbles and capitalize on their collapse. Please read on to see how this played out in our recent calls in the silver, cocoa and British Pound futures markets.
All three of these markets were driven by speculative moves. The speculative forces were also forced to give up in all three cases.
Our method is simple but, effective. First, we only take trades in the same direction as the commercial traders. We want to be buyers when they’re buying and sellers when they’re selling. The commercial traders are value traders. The collective intensity of their actions as gauged through their net and total positions helps us determine how sensitive their production or, consumption needs are at a given market price. In the case of the British Pound, commercial traders just set a net long record position. This is the kind of information we want to know and momentum we want on our side.
Second, we manage risk. This is a swing trading or, mean version methodology. Our goal is to identify turning points that become profitable as a market reverses and the large speculators are forced out of the market. We define the criteria as a market in conflict. A market in conflict is overextended against the commercial traders’ collective position in both price and the COT Ratio. This shows up on the charts as an oversold market in the face of positive commercial momentum in the case of cocoa and the British Pound. This manifests itself in the silver market as an overbought market in the face of a negative commercial outlook.
Finally, the Discretionary Cot trading signals are triggered upon a reversal in the underlying market. The reversal provides two key pieces of information. First, it marks a change in direction. This helps us avoid catching a falling knife, etc. Secondly, the corresponding swing high or low that is created by the reversal provides us with a measurable protective stop placement point, which then tells us how many contracts to trade.
The key to the robustness of this application is that we base our actions on the consensus of the top agribusiness minds in the world. Whether we’re discussing Nestle (NESN) stockpiling cocoa reserves at decade lows or Silver Wheaton (SLW) selling anticipated forward production, we want to side with the premier players. Adding a bit of common sense and some proprietary math and we have both a risk adjusted, fundamental method as well as a mechanical strategy for trading the commodity markets.
This material has been prepared by a sales or trading employee or agent of Commodity & Derivative Advisors and is, or is in the nature of, a solicitation. This material is not a research report prepared by Commodity & Derivative Advisors’ Research Department. By accepting this communication, you agree that you are an experienced user of the futures markets, capable of making independent trading decisions, and agree that you are not, and will not, rely solely on this communication in making trading decisions.
The risk of loss in trading futures and/or options is substantial and each investor and/or trader must consider whether this is a suitable investment. Past performance, whether actual or indicated by simulated historical tests of strategies, is not indicative of future results. Trading advice is based on information taken from trades and statistical services and other sources that Commodity & Derivative Advisors believes are reliable. We do not guarantee that such information is accurate or complete and it should not be relied upon as such. Trading advice reflects our good faith judgment at a specific time and is subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee that the advice we give will result in profitable trades.
Andy Waldock
Andy Waldock, owner of the brokerage firm Commodity & Derivative Advisors and the subscription service COTSignals.com, is a third generation commodity trader with over 25 years of experience on all of the main U.S. exchanges. Andy stays abreast of modern programming developments due to the trading programs he employs for his own account and managed money. He can be reached at www.andywaldock.com.
Trending Now
1
3
Read Next
Thought Leaders
Introducing the NEW Equities News: Transforming the world by investing in what matters most
Paula DeLaurentis
Mar 15, 2024
Economic
An opportunity for women in the clean-energy transition
Green Money
Mar 12, 2024
Economic
Making diversity in venture-capital funding a priority
Yinka Faleti
Mar 11, 2024
Environment
E-bike incentives are a costly way to cut carbon emissions, but they also promote health
The Conversation
Mar 7, 2024
3 dividend-paying health-care stocks that top analysts recommend
Benzinga
Mar 7, 2024
Economic
The true cost of food is far higher than what you spend at the grocery checkout
The Conversation
Mar 6, 2024
The Latest
Thought Leaders
Introducing the NEW Equities News: Transforming the world by investing in what matters most
Mar 15, 2024
Economic
An opportunity for women in the clean-energy transition
Mar 12, 2024
Economic
Making diversity in venture-capital funding a priority
Mar 11, 2024
Environment
E-bike incentives are a costly way to cut carbon emissions, but they also promote health
Mar 7, 2024