How do we know that they are speculative and not based on legitimate supply and demand? If there was a genuine belief in the price of gold going down, wouldn't there be an equal number of PUT options on gold? In other words, the money spent on going long would now be spent going short.
Or is there evidence that more contracts are sold going LONG than SHORT?
But...I do agree that gold will be going down in the next 90 days, assuming nothing tragic and unforeseen happens.
FYI - Speculative positions are colored in Yellow.
Since the election, Speculators dominant net positions have been long which is consistent with the view - buy the election and sell the inauguration.
However, it has been declining over time.
In contrast, Hedgers net position has been short. Give the rise in gold price, they have been on the wrong side. Note that hedgers are commercial traders - they do to minimise price risk rather than to make money through trading.
Looking at the gold futures quotes, the market is 'passively' predicting that gold price will continuously appreciate.