According to data released by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), for the week ending August 18, speculators increased their net long positions in New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil by 320 contracts, bringing the total to 104,035 contracts, the highest level in nearly three weeks.

The Dow Jones closed up 0.98%, the Nasdaq rose 0.43%, and the S&P 500 gained 0.43%. Among the most actively traded stocks, Nvidia fell 0.98%, Tesla rose 5.14%, Micron Technology dropped 0.77%, and Apple declined 0.63%.

Spot gold has just broken through the $4,610.00/ounce level, now quoted at $4,609.99/ounce, up 2.01% on the day; COMEX gold futures main contract is now quoted at $4,667.90/ounce, up 2.11% on the day.

Data released by the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) shows that as of the week ending August 18, leveraged funds have begun to rebuild short positions in the Japanese yen. Note: Such position adjustments typically reflect a bearish outlook of leveraged funds on the future exchange rate of the yen, and subsequent changes in these positions may also become a potential factor influencing short-term fluctuations of the yen.

Applied Optoelectronics enters equity distribution agreement for up to $600 million at-the-market offering