Introduction#
As the trading week comes to a close, several important reports are set to be released on Friday, March 20, 2026. These reports will provide valuable insights into market sentiment and activity in various sectors, particularly in energy and commodities.
Rig Counts#
At 12:00 PM ET, the Baker Hughes U.S. Rig Count will be published. This report tracks the number of active oil drilling rigs in the United States, which serves as an early indicator of demand for oil and related services. The previous count stood at 412 rigs. Additionally, the total U.S. Baker Hughes Rig Count will also be released at the same time, providing a comprehensive overview of all active drilling rigs, with the last count recorded at 553.
CFTC Positioning Reports#
Later in the day, at 3:30 PM ET, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) will release several reports detailing speculative positions across various asset classes. These reports are crucial for understanding how traders are positioning themselves in the market.
- S&P 500 Speculative Positions: This report shows net positions held by speculative traders in S&P 500 futures, with the previous figure at -134.5K.
- Nasdaq 100 Speculative Positions: This report indicates net speculative positioning in Nasdaq 100 futures, previously at 24.9K.
- Gold Speculative Positions: This report provides insights into trader positions in gold futures, with the last recorded position at 163.1K.
- Crude Oil Speculative Positions: This report shows net positions in crude oil futures, previously at 228.0K.
Additional reports will cover aluminum, copper, silver, natural gas, wheat, corn, and soybeans, providing a comprehensive view of market sentiment across these commodities.
Conclusion#
These upcoming reports will be closely watched by traders and investors alike, as they offer critical insights into market dynamics and sentiment heading into the weekend.