FxBrokerReviews.org – Commodities are commodities that people use in their everyday lives for a variety of reasons and that are easily exchangeable for related or unrelated products. For trade reasons, commodities are usually divided into hard and soft commodities. Hard commodities, such as metals, oil, and natural gas, must be mined or extracted. Soft commodities are those that are produced by cultivation, such as food and cattle.
Commodities are frequently utilised as raw materials in industries to create other products. Due to abundance in one category and scarcity in the other, these products have historically been exchanged across kingdoms and nations. Real-world commodity trading used to be a difficult procedure since there wasn’t a set price for such items, which diminished the negotiating strength of smaller dealers.
The development of online commodities trading was influenced by commodities. To be autonomous, there has always been a necessity to exchange products and services. The notion of evolution and how human beings are connected to one another can be connected to this reliance on others. Given that the two parties’ desires agree, this fits well with their requirement to exchange any further products. This trading mechanism is a centuries-old custom that predates the invention of money.
Who is a commodity trader?
A person or organisation who invests in actual commodities like oil, gold, or agricultural items is known as a commodity trader. Economic developments that are anticipated or possibilities in the commodities market influence daily buying and selling.
The majority of commodity trading comprises the buying and selling of futures contracts, while physical trading and derivatives trading are also common. Commodity markets normally trade in the primary economic sector.
However, markets also exist for cotton, wheat, corn, sugar, coffee, cattle, pork bellies, timber, silver, and other metals. Oil and gold are two of the most frequently traded commodities.
Wondering about the types of commodities?
The four major types of commodities that are exchanged are normally metal, energy, livestock and meat, and agriculture.
- METALS:
Metals commodities include copper, platinum, silver, and gold. Some investors may choose to invest in precious metals, especially gold, since it is a trustworthy metal with actual, transferable value during times of market turmoil or bear markets. Investing in precious metals can also act as a hedge against times of excessive inflation or currency depreciation.
- ENERGY:
Investors who are interested in the commodities market in the energy sector should also be aware of how economic downturns, any production changes mandated by OPEC, and new technological advancements in alternative energy sources (wind power, solar energy, biofuel, etc.) that aim to replace crude oil as a primary source of energy, can all have a significant impact on the market prices for commodities in the energy sector.
- AGRICULTURE:
Corn, soybeans, wheat, rice, cocoa, coffee, cotton, and sugar are examples of agricultural products. During the summer or other time of weather-related changes, grains can be quite volatile in the agriculture industry. Population expansion and the restricted availability of agricultural products might present chances for investors who are interested in the agriculture industry to profit from growing agricultural commodity prices.
- LIVESTOCK AND MEAT
Lean pigs, pork bellies, live cattle, and feeder cattle are examples of livestock and meat products.
Wondering where to trade commodities?
Purchasing and selling contracts on a futures market is the most typical method of trading commodities. The Commodity Futures Trade Commission -registered individuals and businesses are required to trade commodity futures and options through an exchange.
Commodities trading for beginners
For novices, commodities trading is more of a speculative endeavour that entails profiting from market volatility. Various tools can be used to trade commodities. The various commodity trading systems give investors numerous ways to expose themselves to the desired commodity. On the MT4 commodities trading platform, some common instruments that traders frequently trade include:
- CFD: Contract for Difference (CFD) are exchanges in which participants exchange contracts back and forth in order to profit from the difference in contract prices without actually investing in the underlying good or service.
- FUTURES TRADING: In futures markets, there is a contractual commitment to purchase or sell the commodity at a specified price at a later period. These are also speculative because they do not really entail the delivery of a commodity as they are freely traded, extremely liquid, and frequently settled for cash before the expiration date.
- ARBITRAGE: This trading tactic includes taking advantage of a commodity’s price volatility between marketplaces. Again, this is a CFD, but there aren’t any pre-signed contracts this time.
- PHYSICAL COMMODITIES: As long as the commodity is steady and its market is not experiencing any big volatility, these are the easiest and most capital-preserving techniques to invest in commodities. Depending on the investor’s ability to store the quantity while also considering the commodity’s shelf life, they can be held. Purchasing gold bullion is one illustration. Forward contracts, which fix the price of the item to be acquired in the future and avoid any budgetary variations, are a savvy approach to purchasing commodities for business needs.
- ETPs/ETCs: These are investments comprised of a collection of commodities that are often comparable in character and give the option of keeping a share of each product individually rather than just one. Another method of investing in commodities is through exchange-traded commodities. These are derivatives used to follow the prices of underlying commodities on the market collectively or separately. Gold, in the form of sovereign gold bonds, is the commodity that is traded the most frequently as a derivative. The use of commodities is highly effective in preventing inflation and preserving buying power equality.
- COMMODITY STOCKS: These are the shares of the businesses making the commodities. Investing in these businesses is distinct from investing straight in commodities. Since the fundamentals of the firm in question are a crucial factor in the market pricing of the commodity, this may not actually represent the price of the commodity. Simply said, a variety of factors other than the price or market value of commodities affect how much a company’s stocks are worth. The firms’ size and market value may enable their stock prices to rise considerably more quickly. However, this is a practical way to gain exposure to commodity investment.
- CPO: Commodity Pool Operators are a different avenue for investing. They deal in commodity futures and options and accept investments from a variety of individuals. Periodic account statements are also distributed to keep investors informed of their results. Investors who don’t want to participate in the market directly or who lack the necessary knowledge might choose not to use this method of raising capital.
How to do online commodities trading?
You will need a commodities trading account if you want to invest in commodities. Depending on their knowledge and experience with the commodity in question, investors can select the instrument of their choosing.
Some brokers will set a minimum amount that must be put in the account before transactions can be made. The settlement procedures likewise resemble stock market transactions. Depending on the nation and exchange where an investor plans to trade, these margins alter.
Advantages of commodities trading
Commodities investments are a great strategy to diversify the portfolio because they often have no correlation with other traded assets. People who are extremely informed about a particular commodity or who are engaged in a business process involving mass purchases of commodities are best suited for trading in commodities. The following are some anticipated advantages of investing in commodities:
- COUNTERING INFLATION:
Few market assets can be convincingly argued to keep their worth in the post-pandemic era due to uncontrollably rising prices, and they often change. Product prices can yet function as a legitimate store of value since decreases in value are frequently not irrational, despite the fact that these prices are also quite variable depending on the type of commodity and the sectors it serves.
- DIVERSIFICATION TO REDUCE VOLATILITY
These function as a protective mechanism during market downturns since they are typically uncorrelated with other assets. Nevertheless, they could also lower the potential return in bull markets.
Pros and cons of Commodities trading
Pros
- When market-moving events like natural catastrophes, which can have an influence on many commodity markets simultaneously, occur, commodity traders respond rapidly.
- Sugar or orange crops may be destroyed by a storm, driving higher prices owing to a lack of supply.
- In anticipation of the expenditures associated with new construction and reconstruction, timber prices often increase.
Cons:
- When compared to traders in other markets, commodity traders are constrained since their total return is based only on the movement of the price of the commodity they are trading.
- Commodity traders do not get recurring cash flows, in contrast to stock or bond dealers who might profit from the asset they purchase through dividends or gains.
- The commodities trader must correctly predict the commodity’s price direction in order to create a profit.
5 best commodity trading platforms
Although it may not be as popular as equities, index, or forex trading, commodity trading is nevertheless growing. It continues to be a well-liked substitute for currency trading and is a great tool for portfolio diversification since it offers hedging options. Five best commodity trading brokers are:
FP MARKET
Australian CFD and FX broker FP Markets was established in 2005. It is governed by the Financial Services Authority of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
Pros:
- Cheap broker fees.
- Simple/quick account financing and opening.
- Good educational resources.
Cons:
- A small product range.
- Faulty research tools.
FXTM
The 2011 founding of the international CFD and FX broker FXTM or ForexTime. It is governed by a number of financial agencies, including the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission and the UK Financial Conduct Authority.
FXTM is regarded as secure because of the FCA’s strict regulation.
Pros:
- Outstanding client service.
- Superb educational resources.
- Rapid and digital account opening.
Cons:
- High CFD commissions.
- Limited product selection.
NAGA
Naga is a trustworthy broker with a wide variety of trading tools and a lively social trading community. There are instruments for teaching and research, and the platform and pricing are good.
Pros:
- A wide variety of trading tools.
- The possibility of leveraging the social trading platform to generate passive revenue.
- NAGA Global LLC was established in accordance with St. Vincent and the Grenadines legislation.
Cons:
- On ordinary accounts, high spreads.
- Not having any trade perks, such as a welcome bonus or account replenishment.
AVATRADE
AvaTrade was established in Dublin, Ireland, in 2006. 150 nations are home to the company’s offices. It presently handles more than 2 million transactions each month and has over 200 000 registered users. These elements help make AvaTrade a trustworthy and dependable broker.
Pros:
- A large selection of trading tools.
- Five continents are covered by a licence for the supply of services.
- Customer support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and offers knowledgeable assistance to consumers in 14 languages.
Cons:
- The website’s user interface is not intuitive.
- Response speed and effectiveness of customer service.
EIGHTCAP
Both the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission and the Australian Securities and Investment Commission oversee Eightcap. Eightcap operates as an online financial trading company and was founded in Melbourne, Australia.
Pros:
- Low currency fees.
- fast and seamless account opening.
- Free withdrawal and deposit.
Cons:
- Limited product range.
- Limited resources for research and teaching.
Final Thoughts
Agricultural goods, mineral ores, and fossil fuels are examples of commodities. In contrast to securities like stocks and bonds, these tangible products are purchased, sold, and exchanged by commodity dealers on the financial market.
When commodities are extremely liquid and have a long shelf life, they prove to be wise investments. Additionally, because the majority of metals are employed extensively in electronics and technical breakthroughs, they have fantastic growth potential. These solid assets must be given a percentage of the portfolio in order to keep the money safe and to protect some nice gains in the event that their values spike owing to increased demand. Since they don’t need to be directly involved in the investment, most investors are better served investing in commodities funds through an online trading platform. These are instead overseen by professionals who research markets to make smart bets. The one who is stepping into commodities trading can use the above-mentioned brokers like FP MARKET, FXTM, NAGA etc as they are beginner-friendly platforms and rated on top by users who have started their trading career through those platforms.
HAVE A SAFE AND SECURE TRADING!!!
