From oil to soybeans, passing through gold, we show you the most valued raw materials on the planet.
Also called 'commodities' in English, they are basic elements that can create other goods and reach a high production. Trading in these commodities has existed since time immemorial and today they are a value traded in many markets around the world. They tend to be stable, with profit margins that are not so large; however, we can also find some volatile value such as copper or oil.
The raw materials can be minerals, which include natural resources extracted from deposits and mines (oil, natural gas, gold,...), or agricultural (corn, wheat, soybeans,...), obtained through cultivation.
Compared to naturally occurring precious metals like gold or silver, crude oil is relatively new. Popularly known as "black gold", its demand is very high in all parts of the planet because when it is refined it can become fuel and petrochemicals used to make plastics, among other uses. It is one of the most expensive commodities traded.
Gold is one of the most stable securities. In 2020, its value reached a historical record, exceeding 2,000 dollars per ounce, while at the end of the year it was revalued by more than 25%, registering the highest rise in the last ten years. It is a refuge value that usually attracts investors in times of crisis, and this extreme has been confirmed during this health and economic pandemic.
Commodities can be affected by many factors, including changes in climate, infrastructure, consumer habits, government policies, the economic situation, currency prices, or reserve levels.
The two largest commodity indices in the world are the S&P GSCI, which tracks the evolution of the 24 best-selling commodities, and the Bloomberg Commodity Index, made up of 23 exchange-traded contracts on physical commodities such as corn, natural gas, aluminum or crude oil.
