Learning about each particular commodity is an important step before you begin trading commodities. Each commodity profile includes the basics of contract specifications, the fundamentals, important market reports for that commodity and trading tips.

Grains
Many of the grain commodities have been trading on futures exchanges have been around many decades and they are some of the most active markets to trade.

They tend to be most volatile during the summer months as whether can be a big market mover.

• Corn
• Soybeans
• Wheat

Energy
Used to power and fuel the country, the energy commodities are very popular futures markets to trade as many witness their uses and prices daily.

• Crude oil
• Gasoline
• Heating oil
• Natural gas

Metals
The metal commodities maintain a couple of roles. The precious metals are used as an inflation hedge. They are also used for industrial purposes, construction and even photography.

• Gold
• Silver
• Copper

Softs
The soft commodities consist of many food products and also some industrial materials.

• Coffee
• Cocoa
• Sugar
• Cotton

Livestock
The livestock commodities consist of meat agricultural products. They can often develop some reliable trending patterns as breeding and herd statistics give you a good idea of production numbers months in advance.

• Cattle
• Hogs