Commodity definition

A commodity is a basic physical good used in production, consumption, or trade. In financial markets, commodities include crude oil, natural gas, gold, silver, wheat, coffee, and sugar.

Most commodities are fungible, meaning one unit of a given grade is interchangeable with another of the same grade. That standardisation lets them trade through futures, options, exchange-traded funds, and CFDs.

A commodity's price moves on supply and demand, weather, geopolitical risk, inventory data, production levels, currency moves, and the wider economy. Most traders take exposure through a derivative such as a futures contract or a CFD rather than holding the physical good, so they react to shortages and demand shifts without ever taking delivery.

Commodity Example

You want exposure to crude oil prices, so you open a position on WTI crude oil through an oil CFD.

If WTI rises from USD 78 to USD 82 a barrel, you profit on the move.

USD 82 - USD 78 = USD 4 per barrel

If WTI falls instead, you lose on the position.