Commodities Demystified

INTRODUCTION
PART I DEMYSTIFYING COMMODITY FUNDAMENTALS 1
CHAPTER 1 Getting Started in Commodities: Understanding
the Essentials 3
CHAPTER 2 Attractions and Merits: Making the Case for
Commodities 19
CHAPTER 3 All About the Risks: Commodities Challenges
and Concerns 28
CHAPTER 4 Players and Participants: The Who’s Who of
All Things Commodities 36
CHAPTER 5 Investing Fundamentals: Risk, Return, and
Commodity Considerations 49
CHAPTER 6 Market Indicators: Understanding What Moves
Commodities Prices 63
CHAPTER 7 Commodity Indexes: A Look Inside the
Broad-Based Metrics 74
PART II DEMYSTIFYING COMMODITY CLASSES 87
CHAPTER 8 Precious and Industrial Metals: Strengthening
Your Portfolio to Make It Shine 89
CHAPTER 9 Energy Fuels: A Powerful Approach to Energizing
Your Portfolio 107
CHAPTER 10 Livestock and Agriculture: MOOving and
Growing Your Portfolio 128
CHAPTER 11 Exotics and Financials: Unordinary
Commodities for Portfolio Profits 149
PART III DEMYSTIFYING COMMODITY INVESTING
AND TRADING 161
CHAPTER 12 Mutual Funds: Using a Conventional
Approach to Invest in Commodities 163
CHAPTER 13 Exchange-Traded Instruments: The ABCs of
ETFs, ETNs, and CEFs 179
CHAPTER 14 Stocks and Partnerships: Taking an Ownership
Stake in Commodities Companies 197
CHAPTER 15 Commodity Hedge Funds: An Alternative
Approach for the Accredited Investor 212
CHAPTER 16 Futures and Options: About Managed Futures
Funds and Self-Directed Participation 226
PART IV DEMYSTIFYING SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS 241
CHAPTER 17 Peak Performance Investing: Inside Optimal
Commodity Portfolios 243
CHAPTER 18 Key Attributes of Commodities: Highlighting the
Top 10 Defining Characteristics 255
CHAPTER 19 9-P Performance Plan: Selecting the Right
Commodities Money Manager 264
CHAPTER 20 Electronic Commodity Trading: An Introduction
to Online Opportunities 276
Appendix A: Commodity Resources 287
Appendix B: Top 25 Commodity Mutual Funds 291
Appendix C: Top 25 Exchange-Traded
Commodities 293
Glossary of Commodities Terms 295
Conclusion 303
Final Exam 305
Answer Key 314
Index 319