Commodity

Commodities are physical assets, such as metals, energy products, agricultural goods, and... Commodities are physical assets, such as metals, energy products, agricultural goods, and livestock, that serve as raw materials for the global economy. Commodities investments give investors exposure to these tangible assets and are typically accessed through ETFs, mutual funds, or futures contracts. Unlike traditional stocks and bonds, commodities often have a low correlation to broader markets, making them popular among growth-oriented and conservative investors alike for their diversification benefits and inflation protection. Held in brokerage and retirement accounts with a medium to long-term horizon, commodities are particularly attractive during periods of economic uncertainty or inflationary pressure. Investing in commodities can strengthen a portfolio by providing a hedge against inflation, as the value of commodities tends to rise when prices increase in the broader economy. Historically, commodities like oil, wheat, and metals have performed well during inflationary periods, offering income and growth potential even in bearish markets. Current trends show increased interest in energy commodities due to the global transition, while precious metals and agricultural products remain popular as safe-haven assets during geopolitical instability. According to the Bloomberg Commodity Index, commodities have shown notable returns in recent inflationary cycles, making them an attractive option for portfolio balance. While commodities can provide valuable diversification, they come with unique risks, including price volatility, geopolitical exposure, and regulatory shifts that can impact supply and demand. Investors should focus on screening metrics like historical performance, expense ratio, and volatility measures to find high-quality commodity funds. Funds with low correlation to equities, strong returns in past inflationary periods, and exposure to stable commodity sectors (e.g., precious metals, energy) offer valuable diversification and inflation-hedging potential. Last Updated: 01/30/2025 View more View less

Commodities are physical assets, such as metals, energy products, agricultural goods, and livestock, that serve as raw materials for the global economy. Commodities investments give investors exposure to these tangible assets and are... Commodities are physical assets, such as metals, energy products, agricultural goods, and livestock, that serve as raw materials for the global economy. Commodities investments give investors exposure to these tangible assets and are typically accessed through ETFs, mutual funds, or futures contracts. Unlike traditional stocks and bonds, commodities often have a low correlation to broader markets, making them popular among growth-oriented and conservative investors alike for their diversification benefits and inflation protection. Held in brokerage and retirement accounts with a medium to long-term horizon, commodities are particularly attractive during periods of economic uncertainty or inflationary pressure. Investing in commodities can strengthen a portfolio by providing a hedge against inflation, as the value of commodities tends to rise when prices increase in the broader economy. Historically, commodities like oil, wheat, and metals have performed well during inflationary periods, offering income and growth potential even in bearish markets. Current trends show increased interest in energy commodities due to the global transition, while precious metals and agricultural products remain popular as safe-haven assets during geopolitical instability. According to the Bloomberg Commodity Index, commodities have shown notable returns in recent inflationary cycles, making them an attractive option for portfolio balance. While commodities can provide valuable diversification, they come with unique risks, including price volatility, geopolitical exposure, and regulatory shifts that can impact supply and demand. Investors should focus on screening metrics like historical performance, expense ratio, and volatility measures to find high-quality commodity funds. Funds with low correlation to equities, strong returns in past inflationary periods, and exposure to stable commodity sectors (e.g., precious metals, energy) offer valuable diversification and inflation-hedging potential. Last Updated: 01/30/2025 View more View less