Classifications Of Commodities Trade- Gold, Crude Oil, And Copper

Classifications Of Commodities Trade

Commodities Meaning 

Commodities are, in their most basic definition, raw resources or agricultural products that may be purchased and sold. These are fundamental commodities in a trade that serves as the foundation of the global economy. One of the most significant characteristics of a commodity is that its quality may vary somewhat from producer to producer, but is essentially the same overall. These commodities, like bonds, are asset classes, and in addition to being exchanged for money in real life, they are also traded on specialized exchanges across the world, which are referred to as commodity exchanges.

Classification Of Commodities Trade

Bullions

The term bullion refers to a valuable metal such as gold, silver, or platinum. This is because gold, being a valuable metal, has an extremely high retention value. The value of bullion does not depreciate rapidly.

1. Gold- Gold is one of the first valuable metals that mankind have discovered. Gold is a precious metal that is used as a commodity, a money, and an investment vehicle. Additionally, it is the most actively traded bullion commodity in the markets. Gold is also used in jewellery. Paper gold has recently gained popularity as an investment instrument. A significant reason is that, in comparison to actual gold, paper gold has lower selling expenses and no storage costs, resulting in higher profits.

2. Platinum- Platinum is a significant precious metal with several applications. Platinum may be utilised in jewellery, electronics, and vehicles, to mention a few. Platinum futures contracts are traded on a number of platforms; one of the most active is the Tokyo Commodity Exchange (TCE).

3. Silver– Silver is utilised in a variety of industries, including photography, fashion, and the electrical industry. Generally, gold and silver move in the same direction. Silver is mostly obtained from lead ore.

Base Metales

If a metal is not regarded a valuable metal such as gold or silver, it is categorised as a base metal:

1.Copper- Copper (chemical symbol – Cu) is a malleable and ductile metallic element that is a good conductor of heat and electricity. It is ranked third in the world’s metal consumption basket, after steel and aluminum. Copper is a very liquid commodity.

2. Zinc- Zinc (chemical symbol: Zn) is a lustrous bluish-white metal that is typically coated in a white layer. It is the fourth most often used metal. Zinc is infinitely recyclable.

3. Lead- Lead is one of the most environmentally friendly and recyclable commodities on the market. Lead is a critical component in the manufacturing of batteries.

4. Nickel- Nickel is a versatile metal that is utilised in a variety of sectors, including engineering, electrical, infrastructure, automobiles, and packaging. Nickel is an extremely volatile commodity due to its high demand and scarcity.

5. Aluminum- Aluminum is a chemical element that is the most abundant non-ferrous metal. Aluminium may theoretically be recycled forever without losing any of its properties.

Energy

1. Crude Oil– Crude oil is a liquid phase combination of hydrocarbons found in natural subsurface sources. Almost every industry is dependent on oil in some manner. Oil and lubricants, agriculture, transportation, petrochemicals, and paints are all impacted significantly and directly by changes in oil prices. Crude oil prices are notoriously unpredictable.

2. Natural Gas- Natural gas is a fossil fuel that originates deep under the Earth’s surface.

Additionally, energy commodities such as heating oil, gasoline, and electricity are available.

Argo Commodities

There are numerous different types of agricultural commodities sold on the commodity market:

Plantation: Rubber.
Cereal: Barley, Wheat, and Maize.
Pulses: Chana.
Spices: Cardamom, Coriander, Turmeric Oil & Oil.

Seeds: Crude Palm Oil, Soya Bean, KapasiaKhalli, Refined Soya Oil.
Livestock And Meat: Eggs, Pork Cattle.
Others: Kapas, Cotton, Gaur, Potato, Sugar.

India’s Commodity Markets Regulatory Framework

1. The 1952 Forward Contracts (Regulation) Act: The Forward Contract (Regulation) Act, 1952 regulates all forms of forwarding  contracts in commodities. Commodity derivatives are controlled by the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956, following a merger with SEBI.
2. Commission Des Marches Futures: In India, the Forward Markets Commission (FMC) oversaw the regulation of commodities futures markets.SEBI has established a new section called the Commodities Derivatives Market Regulation Department (CDMRD) to oversee the operation of commodity derivatives in India.
3. Concerning The SEBI: The Securities and Exchange Board of India’s (SEBI) preamble defines the Securities and Exchange Board of India’s (SEBI) basic functions as “,to protect the interests of investors in securities and to promote the development and regulation of the securities market, as well as for matters connected with or incidental thereto.”

Profitable Speculative Trading In Commodities

Commodities, by definition, are very hazardous due to inherent uncertainty. One cannot forecast weather patterns, natural disasters, or diseases. However, speculative investors continue to invest in commodities if not for hedging and diversification purposes. This is due to the enormous earning possibilities. Due to the enormous leverage inherent in futures contracts, modest price changes can result in significant profits or losses.

To mitigate this risk, the majority of futures contracts include ‘options.’ When an option contract expires, the holder retains the right to complete the transaction. In comparison to a future in which you are compelled. Thus, if the price does not move in the direction expected, your loss will be limited to the amount of the option acquired. To illustrate, we can consider choices such as making a deposit on a purchase rather than purchasing entirely. If things go wrong, the most you can lose is your deposit.

Check This Also:- Nifty 50 PE Ratio, Nifty PE Analysis-Stock Market Crash 2021

India’s Commodity Trading

Commodities, like all other asset types, are traded on exchanges. These exchanges are referred to as commodity exchanges, and they are often specialised in the trading of such securities.

India has the following commodities exchanges:

• Multi Commodity Exchange – MCX
• National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange – NCDEX
• National Multi Commodity Exchange – NMCE
• Indian Commodity Exchange – ICEX
• Ace Derivatives Exchange – ACE
• The Universal Commodity Exchange – UCX

SEBI regulates commodity trading in the commodity market, which is aided through MCX. The MCX is a stock exchange that provides a trading platform. The Indian Commodity Futures Markets trade over 100 different commodities. Gold, crude oil, copper cathode, silver, zinc, nickel, natural gas, and farm commodities are among the most widely traded commodities.

Commodity Trader’s Profits

Traders in commodities are fast to respond to market-moving developments. Natural catastrophes, for example, can have a simultaneous influence on several commodities markets. A storm can destroy sugar or orange crops, driving increasing prices due to a lack of supply. Simultaneously, timber prices rise in anticipation of new construction and reconstruction expenditures.

To trade effectively, commodity traders must be able to respond quickly to such rapid events. If the market takes a sharp shift in the wrong direction, slow reactions might result in significant losses.

Important Points to Remember

• Individuals or organisations who purchase and sell actual commodities such as metals or oil are known as commodity traders.
• Traders in this field are looking for possibilities to benefit on expected trends as well as arbitrage opportunities.
• Commodity traders may help a firm or industry secure a supply of raw materials, assist in the creation of liquidity in an international market, or invest in a speculative capacity.