Commodity has a particular significance in relation to IG's platform. Here, we define commodity in general investing and explain what it means to you when trading with IG.
CFDs are complex financial instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. CFDs are complex financial instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Commodity definition
A commodity is a basic physical asset, often used as a raw material in the production of goods or services.
To be traded on the markets, a commodity must be interchangeable with another commodity of the same type and grade. That means that to a trader, gold is gold: no matter where it was mined, or which company mined it. The term for this quality in commodities is fungible.
Types of commodity
Some of the most commonly traded commodities include:
- Gold
- Oil
- Wheat
- Natural gas
- Beef
They are split into two varieties. Hard commodities are metals or energy resources, mined or extracted from natural resources. Soft commodities are agricultural, farmed or grown. Soft commodities tend to be seasonal, and prone to spoilage.
The buying and selling of commodities for profit is known as commodities trading. Commodities trading is split into two types, the spot market and the futures market. The spot market is used for commodities that will be delivered immediately, and the futures market is for commodities that will be delivered at some point in the future.
Most commodities traders are speculators and do not wish to take delivery of the commodities they are trading, so most futures contracts are closed before their delivery date. Futures contracts are traded on futures exchanges, with most commodities being associated with a specific local exchange.
Visit our commodities section
Find out more about commodities trading with IG.
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