Whenever you hear the term commodities, your mind may Immediately go to gold bars piled up in a vault or oil barrels somewhere in the desert.
Right?
Well! Fair enough.
But did you know that commodities are the pulse of the world economy?
Yes, that’s true!
Starting from your daily morning coffee to the gas that you keep in your vehicle to run and travel around, all of these commodities surround you.
Yes, everywhere!
Whether you are an investor looking to diversify your investment portfolio or simply someone who is an inquisitee newcomer, running in the race of discovering what professional traders are trading on a commodity trading platform, this guide can be your golden ticket.
Today, in this blog post, we will learn types of commodities. And, most importantly, why are they important in the trading sector.
1. Crude Oil
No debates are certainly needed here!
Without any doubt, crude oil is ”The King of Commodities” when it comes to trading volume.
This black gold powers the world economy (literally) and affects everything from transportation and manufacturing to your heating bill.
But why is it so popular?
Why is that? The reason is obvious! It’s because crude oil is extremely fluid.
And how does it work for a trader?
It simply means that it is simple to sell and buy on international bourses. Also, with constant geopolticis and shifting patterns of supply and demand, traders have a fondness for price uncertainty.
Well, do you know what is the most interesting fact about trading oil?
It might not be what you are expecting!
Instead, even a tweet or one meeting of OPEC can make oil prices shoot through the roof.
So, if you are thinking of trading this black gold, then be aware of these!
2. Gold
OK! Coming in second hot is Gold.
Yes, it is that yellow jewellery metal stored in houses or as bars in the central banks’ vaults. But other than this, it is one of the most traded commodities globally.
Especially when the markets become wobbly, investors turn to gold for safety.
Thanks to online gold trading, it is now simpler than ever before to tap into the gold market without actually possessing one ounce. You can purchase and sell gold contracts, ETFs, or even bet on the movement of gold’s price through CFDs.
And here’s the great news.
You can do it all from your laptop or mobile phone.
Also, gold is usually considered a hedge for inflation and devaluation of the currency, which is why gold glows under economic uncertainty.
3. Silver
Silver might not receive the royal treatment like gold, but do not underestimate it.
Do you know that silver is a significant industrial metal?
If that came as a surprise, then you must know that applications of silver range from solar panels to electronics, even the phone or laptop from which you are reading this!
Not only this! If you talk about gold as a store of value, then similar to gold, it also serves as a store of value.
Now, coming back to the trading world, this silver metal is more volatile than gold. This means it presents greater opportunities for traders. It’s also preferred by those who need to trade precious metals online, but don’t feel like shelling out for gold prices.
Most trading platforms let you trade silver in several forms, such as futures, spot pricing, or as part of a precious metals ETF.
4. Natural Gas
Though crude oil receives all the glory, natural gas plays a significant role in the energy industry as well!
Utilised for heating, power generation, and even industrial manufacturing, natural gas experiences tremendous volumes of trading each and every day.
Seasonal demand (particularly during the winter months), weather reports, and storage figures affect the fluctuation of prices for natural gas, making it a favourite amongst short-term traders who enjoy a good market twist.
5. Copper
You might not think much about copper, but the experts sure do.
This base metal is one of the important things in construction, electronics, and even electric vehicles.
That’s why it’s often called “Doctor Copper”.
Maybe because it has a PhD in predicting the economy. (funny but true)
And how to judge the copper trading market?
It is not as hard as you thought. In easy terms, if was see that the copper is in high demand, it usually means the global economy is going along. Conversely, if the demand is down, it might indicate a slowdown. Because of this, copper is a top choice for commodity traders trying to glean hints about macroeconomic trends.
6. Corn, Wheat, and Soybeans
Hold on! There is more to the list!
How could we ever forget about all those farm commodities?
Corn, wheat, and soybeans are the leaders of global grain production. They are the world’s grains that feed the world and futures market heavyweights.
Prices of these crops are affected by:
- Weather (floods, droughts, etc.)
- Government policies and subsidies
- International demand and food security
So, why do commodity traders favour these crops?
It’s because they’re seasonal and potentially volatile. For anyone who wants to get into trading these farm commodities, futures contracts or ETFs can provide an easy entry.
7. Coffee
Yes, your favourite brew. But let me tell you that these brown beans are not only just yours but the World’s favourite drink also.
Believe it or not, coffee is one of the most traded soft commodities globally. There are over 2.25 billion cups that the world consumes in a day.
And this creates a massive demand to fill.
What is surprising here is that the prices of coffee are impacted by everything.
You can say it from the weather in Brazil (the world’s top producer) to global consumption trends, everything is responsible for impacting the price of coffee.
So, if you are searching for a different or unique commodity to add some zest to your portfolio, coffee could be that one asset.
Conclusion
To conclude, the commodity market can be thrilling for traders as it is full of opportunities for them. Ranging from the swings of oil, the volatility of gold, or the rhythm of seasons in grains, there is something for every trader.
But do you know what is the key to success for trading commodities?
Well, it begins with selecting the right commodity trading platform. No matter if you are looking to trade or just tap into the energy and food markets of the world, the right platform can make a big difference.