While stocks have been posting big numbers over the past few trading sessions, commodities have been struggling to find their ground. A slew of good data from the U.S. has given a fair amount of momentum to equities, but commodities have remained volatile, as many seem to have their gaze fixated on sky-high crude oil and subsequent gas prices, though crude tapered off to end the week. Orange juice and soybean futures took the lead this past week, as both contracts tacked on more than 5% to their underlying prices. Meanwhile, natural gas continued its slide, surrendering roughly 8% on the week while gold futures dipped by nearly 4%. In an effort to keep our readers up to date on the fast paced world of commodities, we outline three of the best stories from around the web this week [see also Why Warren Buffett Hates Gold].

Many were worried that this week was a sign of a sputtering rally that commodities and equities had both been enjoying during January. But February eventually brought good news today, as unemployment dipped to a healthy 8.3%, leading to bullishness for the majority of wall street. This week marked the end of the best January stocks have seen since 1997, but that does not mean that it was without losses. Natural gas futures, for example, tanked by nearly 10.5%, giving up the gains that had been amassed the week earlier. Top performers came from two relatively unpopular futures contracts as lumber and oats gained 7.6% and 3.4% respectively. In an effort to keep our readers up to date on all of the happenings around the commodity world, we outline three of the best stories from around the web this week [see also The Ten Commandments of Commodity Investing].

Markets have been enjoying a rather strong week despite the mixed bag of earnings that have been announced. It seem that the winners are outshining the losers as the S&P 500 was able to top 1,300 for the first time since last year’s U.S. debt downgrade. Futures markets have been particularly active, with a number of contracts moving in both positive and negative directions. Over the past five days, orange juice futures, for example, are up over 18%, while natural gas futures have tanked by roughly 13.5%. In an effort to keep our readers more informed on today’s commodity markets, we outline three of the best commodity articles from around the web this past week [see also 12 High-Yielding Commodities For 2012].

Commodities have started the year off on the right foot after earnings from aluminum giant Alcoa pointed to a more bullish outlook for the foreseeable future. After 2011′s tough year in which 16 of the major 22 commodities lost ground, it has been a welcome start to 2012. While a number of commodity prices seem to be at cheap buying opportunities, many are fearful that further issues overseas will create headwinds for their favorite investments. Gold and oil have been two of the most talked about assets, as issues in the euro zone and Iran have been creating problems for each respective commodity. To help investors better understand today’s commodity field, we outline three of the best commodity stories from around the web this past week [see also 2011′s Best Performing Commodity Was……Milk?]:

2012 has kicked off much like the previous year ended, full of uncertainty. Though investors are hoping to wipe the slate clean and begin a fresh new year, not all are convinced that markets will break their rut anytime soon. Commodity investors are especially eager to forget what was a dismal 2011 for most assets. While it is true that as many as 90% of commodity investors lose money, it seems like that was especially true last year, where a number of commodities racked up significant losses. As investors sort their way through new picks for 2012, we outline three of the best commodity stories from around the web this week, helping to educate readers on commodity markets in today’s environment [see also 12 High-Yielding Commodities For 2012].

Yet another up and down week for commodities as equity markets pushed and pulled at prices for investors’ favorite assets. Though there were a number of big movers, few endured weeks like both gold and oil. As of open on Monday, Gold was sitting near $1,700/oz, but after a tough week, the precious metal is now flirting with the $1,600/oz. level. Investors have grown worrisome over euro woes and feel that a stronger dollar as well as the lack of momentum overseas has left virtually no safe havens besides cash. Oil had a similarly bad week, as its price dipped all the way below $93/barrel after weeks of a strong rally. In an effort to help better educate commodity investors on today’s environment, we outline three of the best commodity stories from around the web this week [see also 25 Ways To Invest In Natural Gas].