Thursday, February 5, 2009

Commodities: Trading Commodities

Just like in trading equities or any other investment, an investor without a long term outlook and time horizon will far underperform those that are in it for the longer term. Trading commodities is no different, as those going in and out of the market find themselves on the loosing end of deals, and wonder why other commodity futures traders are so successful while they linger on the sidelines licking their wounds.

It doesn't matter if it's trading currencies, agriculture futures or precious metals futures, it's all the same. Those measuring success in short term increments will find themselves never making any money, and only looking for someone to balme for their wrong decisions.

Commodities markets are no different than any other investment market, and we need to do our homework and have a solid handle on what commodity or commodities were investing in.

Whether its gold or silver futures, wheat or corn futures, or platinum or palladium futures, it's all the same. Understand what it is that relates to the underlying fundamentals and invest accordingly.

No matter what commodities exchange you're working with, commodities brokerage or broker, if you don't have a long term outlook and investigate the commodity or commodities you're interested in, you're going to fail miserably and not understand why.

Check out the commodity news and commoditey charts, look for patterns and changes in commodity demand and surplus. Look for any information on the commodity you're going to invest in, and make a decision on whether you want to invest in options or futures. You could in the case of ETFs of course go that route.

Commodity futures trading or commodity options trading isn't for the faint of heart, which is why it's even more important not to just throw your money at something hoping it will stick. If you don't have the time or are clueless, research commodity brokerages and individual commodity brokers to see which is the best fit for your desired strategy and risk tolerance. Also don't throw all your money into one commodity trade, as you could lose it all.

Over the long term, gold commodities, silver commodities, oil commodities look good for futures rising, while over the longer term a number of grain like wheat commodities, corn commodities and soybean commodities should perform well as middle classes grow in Asian countries.

Gas as a commodity investment should also do well over the long term.

The U.S. dollar is not a place you want to place your money, as over the long haul it's going to be under tremendous downward pressure, and other currencies would be better to invest in if you're interested in the currency sector.

Commodity funds, commodity investments, commodity indexes, commodity stocks, commodity exchanges, ETFs, commodities prices and so on, are going to rise, and will outperform in general all other investment vehicles and sectors over the next five to ten years. There will obviously be individual commodities that won't partake in that success, which is why learning to be a futures trader or options trader and understanding the overall commodity market in relationship to supply and demand is so important.

Taking a consistent look at gold as a commodity people are looking to park their money safely, as well as the commodity silver is a must going forward. Both of those should do well in the near and long term.

Commodities will continue to be hot, and those who prepare and are ready and willing to take the risk, should experience extraordinary success in commodity options, futures, funds and ETFs in the near and long term.

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