[CFTC: Hedge funds’ short bets on the euro rose to the highest level since March 2020] On October 24, hedge funds’ short bets on the euro increased to the highest level since March 2020. Political turmoil in France impacted the European market and put pressure on the euro. Data released by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) on Friday showed that leveraged traders held about 11.8 billion euros ($13.2 billion) in bearish euro bets in the week ended October 20. They increased their net short position by 1,305 contracts to 94,138 contracts, the highest since March 2020. France has been at the center of bond market anxiety this month. Speculators have maintained bearish bets on the euro since February. This month's turmoil has further heightened concerns about economic growth and cast doubt on whether and how much the European Central Bank will raise interest rates, which could lead to a further widening of the interest rate gap between the euro zone and the United States.