That compares with a net long position of $16.77 billion the previous week. To be long a currency means traders believe it will rise in value, while being short points to a bearish bias. In a wider measure of dollar positioning that includes net contracts on the New Zealand dollar, Mexican peso, Brazilian real and Russian ruble, the greenback posted a net long position of $12.31 billion in the week ended August 13, compared with $12.89 billion the previous week.
The dollar on Friday was roughly flat after worries tied to trade tensions and a US Federal Reserve interest rate cut weighed on consumer sentiment and after a report that Germany may run a deficit to boost growth lifted the euro. Measured against a basket of six other major currencies, the dollar was higher by 0.04% at 98.188. It has recovered by 1.20% from its three-week low on August 9.