Total trading volume has increased many times since the 1990s. The financial markets will continue to exceed expectations as new commodities enter the market, and other markets become ripe for business. Asia and Africa have the greatest potential, which will influence trends in the next decade.
Current policies in the energy market towards green energy guarantee that the next decade will witness a reorganization of energy stocks. Indeed, facing out oil in everyday car commutes will take a significant hit on oil shares, which might take a tumble. That is why it is paramount to understand what is commodity trading? However, as traditional markets feel the impact of newer technologies, other commodities will begin trading in the primary markets.
While tracing the direction of the energy markets in the future raises a nostalgic sensation, the markets currently are awash with new trends that were visions in the 90s and 2000s.
Current Situation of the Commodity Market
The commodity market adds billions to the global economy. Noteworthy, the oil markets have dominated for a while, with current estimates putting them at about $18 billion. The figure takes the largest share of about $52 billion of the entire commodity market. Indeed, the impressive figures are continuing to register growth in 2023 and will continue to rise into the 2030s.
Over the years, metals have been at the button of the list in terms of growth, factoring in that they make up the majority of the tools used today. In 2021, the metal industry witnessed a shift, growing by almost double. Other notable commodities of interest include agriculture, power, gas, and natural gas, which have also seen an increase in their share value in the financial markets.
The Dynamic Energy Market
Ten years ago, it was common for oil-based investments to dominate the financial markets. However, debates about a better environment in the future, and the current signs of climate change, have pushed such investments to an all-time low. Currently, investments in carbon-based fuels have dropped by about 50 percent–a trend that might continue.
The energy transition is an expensive affair that requires significant investments. In the entirety of the 2020s, the world will have to spend upward of over $2 trillion per year to satisfy the ambitions put forward for a better environment in the future.
The continued face out of carbon fuels has pushed the stocks of lithium and nickels to new highs in the current commodity markets. Lithium is a key component in powering the future, which bets on wind and other greener energy.
Dealing with Trade Disruptors
Covid-19 remains one of the largest trade disruptors of the decade, and with it came many lessons. The world witnessed a surge in oil prices soon after the pandemic, as many suppliers could not reach their full capacity in time to cover the world demand. Charter rates at the time topped $150,000 every day, and ships anchored on the shorelines to provide more logistical support to help cover the demand.
Such challenges in the commodity market have sparked a re-think of trading during disruption events. Over the period, countries have accelerated their adoption of greener energy such as wind, solar and nuclear. Indeed, when commodities receive the interest of governments and top investors, their stocks spike.
Noteworthy, increasing the levels of asset reserves is another way the commodity market has adopted.
Leveraging the Spot Markets
For a long time, markets have favored long-term contracts that provided more returns as assets continue to pick value as time goes by. The trend is shifting towards leveraging spot markets.
Some stakeholders in the stock markets have shifted their focus from the customer and fixed their efforts in the spot markets where they can have better profits. One of the most notable actors is the NOCs from the Middle East that have redirected their assets to trade in these spot markets for higher profits.
Bottom Line
As time passes, the markets also evolve. Currently, trends that existed as visions in the 2010s are pushing the financial market to new highs. Figures show that the commodity market will grow and the current trends will be key to the growth.
