Banks Face Harsh Commodity Regulations
An event several years in the making could be just days away. For some time now, the Fed has been debating whether or not it should limit big banks and their participation in the commodities markets. The debate stemmed from a number of accusations of market manipulation for profit, though most of the institutions on the chopping block have maintained their innocence. The decision is expected to fall sometime in the next month and could be a welcomed change for traders [for more commodity news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter].
Small Cap Commodity Stocks In Focus: Oil Prospects And Junior Miners
Year-to-date, small capitalization equities have rallied alongside the broad market, as bullish momentum continues to be a dominating force and investors become more risk tolerant. These stocks typically offer more promising long-term growth potential than their large cap counterparts; however, investors will have to take on slightly higher levels of risk and volatility. Already this year, the Russell 2000 Index has surged more than 20%, urging investors to take a closer look at these promising securities [for more commodity news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter].
The 3 Worst Commodities From 1H 2013
With the first half of 2013 coming to an end, many investors are taking time to look back and see which portions of their portfolios will need revaluation, with many now worried that the commodity super cycle is drawing to a close. Though some commodities fared well in the first six month of the year, many failed to keep pace. Below, we outline the three worst performing commodities so far in 2013 to give investors a better idea of how the year is shaping up [for more commodity news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter].
Fed Tapering Puts Precious Metals In A Pickle
As the decade opened, precious metals (namely gold) were among the most popular commodities for long-term investors. Many had grown comfortable with the commodities as safe haven assets that would help to protect their portfolios from inflation and any unforeseen market dips. But Ben Bernanke may have let the air out of the precious metals world when he announced that the Fed would begin tapering its bond purchasing late this year or in early 2014 [for more precious metals news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter].
Contango Report: Natural Gas, Silver, Wheat Face Rising Prices
In the futures world, the word contango is often treated like a four-letter obscenity. But when traders understand that it is simply a natural phenomenon that can be navigated, contango loses its negative connotation. Contango is defined as the process whereby near month futures are cheaper than those expiring further into the future, creating an upward sloping curve for future prices over time. It has been known to burn investors who are not aware of its presence, but staying one step ahead of the futures curve can lead to smarter, more efficient trades [for more commodity news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter].
Silver Whiplash Likely, Ahead Of Major Support
While equity markets have been on an absolute tear in 2013, many commodities have been hung out to dry. As investors have become more comfortable with stocks and a bit more risky in their portfolios, one asset class has been particularly pummelled: precious metals. It wasn’t long ago that analysts were calling for silver and gold to hit unprecedented highs (gold, in fact, did hit historic highs in 2011) only to watch their prices take a major hit in the subsequent months.
Precious Metals Look Golden For Market Bears
Investing in precious metals has become an extremely popular choice for equity investors looking to hedge their portfolios. Generally, this commodity class has gained the reputation as a “safe haven” holding during volatile market periods, but recently precious metals have flipped sides and saw a period of relatively high correlation to equities [see also 2013 Commodity Trades You Wish You Made].
2013 Commodity Trades You Wish You Made
The phrase “hindsight is always 20/20″ is most applicable to investors. There are numerous occasions when traders wish they would have followed their gut or executed a specific position, especially looking back on the gains that certain assets have made. It is relatively easy to make a bold call on a specific asset, but it is much more difficult to follow through with the trade and exit the position at the proper moment. With 2013 already being a wild year in the commodity world, we take a look back at some of the most fruitful trades throughout the industry thus far [for more commodity news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter].
Silver Slaughtered By Selling Pressures
As the global economy continues to trudge forward, precious metals have taken quite a hit. Much ado has been made about gold prices making fresh lows and when the right time is to buy the yellow commodity, but its sister metal, silver, has been somewhat overshadowed, as it too has been faced with a fair amount of selling pressure. This year alone, silver prices have dipped over 11%, with a fair amount of that drop coming in just the last few days [for more silver news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter].
A Brief 2000-Year History Of Copper Prices
We have previously talked about the historical use and value of gold and silver, and now we turn to copper. Right off the bat, copper is a very different metal. Like gold, it’s easy to work with for relatively simple tools and technologies, but unlike gold, copper was (and is) quite common and easy to find. Copper has been mined and used for at least 10,000 years and likely vied with meteoric iron as the metal most used in tools [for more copper news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter].
