Hedge-fund managers and other large speculators increased their net-long position in crude-oil futures in the week ended Sept. 9, according to Commodity Futures Trading Commission data. Each Friday the CFTC publishes aggregate numbers for long and short positions for speculators such as hedge funds and institutional investors, as well as commercial companies that buy or sell futures to protect against price moves. Analysts and investors follow changes in speculators’ positions because such transactions can reflect an expectation of a change in prices.
