Equity Markets Positioning Model: US Large Cap Positioning Eases, Europe Softens

Research evidence excerpt

Equity Markets Positioning Model: US Large Cap Positioning Eases, Europe Softens

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29 Jun 2026 16:27:58 ET │ 37 pages

Equity Markets Positioning Model

US Large Cap Positioning Eases, Europe Softens

CITI'S TAKE

Europe

Global equity positioning is diverging, led by the US, where bearish flows are

building in Nasdaq and S&P 500 alongside continued rotation into small David T Chew AC

caps. Aggregate positioning remains broadly stable, but this masks a +44-20-7986-7698

growing imbalance for Nasdaq, where longs are elevated despite rising david.chew@citi.com

losses, leaving the market exposed to further long liquidation. In Europe,

flows have weakened, with renewed short build and long unwinds.

Positioning has moved back toward neutral across EuroStoxx and DAX. For US

Asia, KOSPI positioning is still bullish and extended despite the recent

market decline, while Hang Seng is the most extreme bearish position Richard W Schlatter

globally, dominated by profitable shorts. This leaves the index exposed to +1-212-816-0591

rising short squeeze risk. richard.w.schlatter@citi.com

Anju BhandariStability in US large caps despite rising bearish flows — Positioning is broadly

stable across the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, despite rising bearish flows. However, +1-212-816-3812

existing Nasdaq long positioning risks are on the rise, with ~80% of long positions anju.bhandari@citi.com

offside, highlighting increased vulnerability to further long unwinds. Russell 2000

positioning continues to build via new risk flows and short covering, with bullish

positioning reaching extended levels. However, positioning profit levels are small, Asia-Pacific

containing positioning risks.

Yue Hin Pong

Europe – Short rebuild undermines fragile recovery — Recent recovery flows have +44-20-7986-3953