What are commodities and how do you trade them? (2024)

Learn what moves a commodity's price

Commodities prices are driven by the forces of supply and demand, which means there are a variety of factors that can impact them.

Competition
The introduction of alternative technologies and goods can reduce the demand for older commodities. For example, the rise of renewable energies has significantly reduced investment in oil and gas.

New companies can also have a knock-on effect in the market – especially those with more efficient supply chains and faster production lines, as these will lower costs and be more appealing for shareholders.

Politics
Political events and policies can cause changes in prices if they have an impact on exports and imports. For example, increases in import duty can drive up prices.

Macroeconomics
A weak economy often lowers the demand for commodities – especially those involved in building and transport. Whereas a booming economy can result in increased demand which could lead to higher prices.

Seasonality
Agricultural commodities are particularly dependent on seasonal cycles that impact production and harvesting. Prices tend to rise when harvest forecasts are positive, and decline after the harvest, when the market is flooded with products.

Weather
Extreme weather changes and natural disasters can impact natural material production and transportation. For example, colder temperatures can freeze the ground or compromise the goods. Anything that impacts the supply chain, decreasing output, can cause market prices to rise.

What are commodities and how do you trade them? (2024)

FAQs

What are commodities and how do you trade them? ›

Commodities trading works in the same way as speculating on any other market, in that buyers and sellers come together to exchange goods. The only difference is that commodities can be bought and sold at a current and future price.

What is a commodity quizlet? ›

Commodity. A raw material or primary agricultural product that can be bought and sold, such as copper or coffee. Consumer.

How do you trade commodities successfully? ›

Commodity trading strategies are usually based on either technical analysis, fundamental analysis or a mixture of the two. In order to have the best chance of successfully trading commodities, it's a good idea to incorporate some form of fundamental analysis, as commodity prices tend to be sensitive to global events.

What is a commodity answer? ›

Commodities are basic goods and materials that are widely used and are not meaningfully differentiated from one another. Examples of commodities include barrels of oils, bushels of wheat, or megawatt-hours of electricity.

What is a commodity in which a trader deals called answers? ›

Any commodity, article or merchandise in which trader regularly deals or carries on trade is called goods.

What is a commodity in short term? ›

Commodity prices are determined by inelastic supply and demand which make them largely prone to short-term price shocks. Inelasticity means that the quantity demanded or supplied cannot adjust quickly. Short-term options can be used around key demand and supply report releases.

How are most commodities traded? ›

Commodities are bought and sold on exchanges, like stocks. Well-known exchanges include the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) and London Metal Exchange (LME).

How do I learn to trade commodities? ›

For a more detailed approach, take a look at our complete guide below.
  1. Choose what commodity you want to trade.
  2. Learn what moves a commodity's price.
  3. Decide how you want to trade or invest in commodities.
  4. Discover how commodity trading works.
  5. Create your commodity trading account.
  6. Find your first commodity opportunity.

Can you trade commodities directly? ›

CFDs are offered on many trading platforms and allow investors to directly trade oil, gas and coffee — among other commodities — without actually owning the underlying instrument.

What is the best definition of commodity? ›

a substance or product that can be traded, bought, or sold: The country's most valuable commodities include tin and diamonds.

What is a commodity in economics? ›

A commodity, also called primary product or primary good, is a good sold for production or consumption just as it was found in nature. Commodities include crude oil, coal, copper or iron ore, rough diamonds, and agricultural products such as wheat, coffee beans or cotton; they are often traded on commodity exchanges.

What is a commodity standard quizlet? ›

commodity standard. this uses a good with value of its own as the basic monetary unit. Typically, this involves a precious metal such as gold or silver. For example, all major national currencies had a fixed value in terms of gold from 1870 to 1914. commodity-backed paper standard.

What is the description of a commodity? ›

Commodities are raw materials used to create the products consumers buy, from food to furniture to gasoline or petrol. Commodities include agricultural products such as wheat and cattle, energy products such as oil and natural gas, and metals such as gold, silver and aluminum.

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