commodities
Raw tradeable materials
Commodities are raw materials or basic goods that can be bought and sold—grain, oil, copper, coffee.
The term implies interchangeability: one barrel of crude oil is essentially equivalent to another, unlike manufactured products with brand differences.
Commodity prices fell sharply.
Financial markets trade commodity futures, betting on future prices.
Figuratively, anything treated as interchangeable becomes a commodity: Time is a precious commodity.
When something is commodified, it has been reduced to a tradeable good, often with negative connotations: Health care shouldn't be treated as a commodity.
Unpolished, raw state
- petroleumNatural underground hydrocarbon liquid
- oreMetal-bearing rock
- mineralsInorganic natural solids
- timberWood for construction
cotton · wheat · corn · soybeans · coal · iron · copper · aluminum
Cereal crop for flour
- cornCereal grown on cobs
- soybeansProtein-rich Asian legume
- riceStaple cereal grain
- coffeeBrewed bean beverage
cocoa · sugar · cotton · palm oil · rubber · oats · barley · cattle
Staple cereal grain
- wheatCereal crop for flour
- flourMilled grain powder
- cornCereal grown on cobs
- sugarCrystalline carbohydrate sweetener
salt · cooking oil · beans · potatoes · millet · cassava · sorghum · lentils
Slippery viscous fluid
- natural gasSubterranean hydrocarbon fuel
- coalCombustible sedimentary rock
- uraniumElement ninety-two
- gasolineRefined petroleum vehicle fuel
heating oil · diesel · OPEC · barrel · pipeline · refinery · LNG · biofuels
Contracts for future delivery
- hedgingNoncommittal maneuvering
- speculationUnproven theorizing or risky investment
- exchangesReciprocal transfers between parties
- derivativesThings derived from another
contracts · options · spot · volatility · liquidity · arbitrage · swaps · margins
crude
Unpolished, raw state
- petroleumNatural underground hydrocarbon liquid
- oreMetal-bearing rock
- mineralsInorganic natural solids
timber · cotton · wheat · corn · soybeans · coal · iron · copper · aluminum · lumber
wheat
Cereal crop for flour
coffee · cocoa · sugar · cotton · palm oil · rubber · oats · barley · cattle · hogs
rice
Staple cereal grain
sugar · salt · cooking oil · beans · potatoes · millet · cassava · sorghum · lentils · maize
oil
Slippery viscous fluid
- natural gasSubterranean hydrocarbon fuel
- coalCombustible sedimentary rock
- uraniumElement ninety-two
gasoline · heating oil · diesel · OPEC · barrel · pipeline · refinery · LNG · biofuels · ethanol
futures
Contracts for future delivery
- hedgingNoncommittal maneuvering
- speculationUnproven theorizing or risky investment
- exchangesReciprocal transfers between parties
derivatives · contracts · options · spot · volatility · liquidity · arbitrage · swaps · margins · clearinghouse
gold
Element seventy-nine
- silverLustrous white precious metal
- copperReddish-brown metallic element
- platinumDense precious silvery metal
palladium · aluminum · zinc · iron ore · nickel · lead · tin · manganese · cobalt · lithium
- economicssupply and demand, inflation, GDP, GNP, gross domestic product
- finance termsnet profit, gross profit, budget, credit, debt
- investingstocks, stock, bonds, investing, investor
- warehousingwarehouse, warehouses, fulfillment centers, fulfillment center, distribution centers
- inventorystock, items, products, merchandise, assets
- South African EconomyAnglo American, De Beers, mining industry, diamond mining, gold trade
commoditiesluxury goods
Costly non-essential purchases
artisanal goods · premium brands · designer goods · one-of-a-kind items · niche products
commoditiesservices
Acts performed for others
intangibles · intellectual property · experiences · financial instruments · securities
- commodities marketTrading venue for raw materials
- essential commoditiesGoods needed for survival
- commodities traderSells raw goods professionally
- commodities exchangeVenue for trading raw goods
- commodities brokerAgent selling raw materials
- commodities tradingBuying and selling raw materials