Commodity Fundamentals: How To Trade the Precious Metals, Energy, Grain, and Tropical Commodity Markets (Wiley Trading) (Hardcover)

by Ronald C. Spurga (Author)
Key Phrases: fabrication demand, pipeline approach, gold demand, United States, New York, Commodity Yearbook (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Praise for Commodity Fundamentals

"Commodity Fundamentals is THE book for investors looking to enter the commodity markets. This informative guide is a welcome addition on the subject and is a must-read for commodity investors."
-Jim Atkinson, President, Guinness Atkinson Funds

"Ronald Spurga's Commodity Fundamentals is an illuminating and very useful guide for the subject. A welcome addition to any business library."
-Robert F. Himmelberg, PhD, Dean, Fordham's Graduate School of Business Administration

"A straightforward introduction crafted for the individual on the mechanics of commodity trading. The author efficiently negotiates the often confusing yet very topical commodity trading world for the individual."
-Terence A. Mullervy, Finance Director, Glencore UK Ltd.

Commodity Fundamentals provides you with the in-depth insights needed to make commodities trading a profitable, integral component of your overall trading activities. Written by Ronald Spurga, a Vice President of ABN AMRO Bank and longtime veteran of the investment banking wars, this straightforward guide arms you with the information you need to succeed in the highly profitable commodity marketplace-whether you are a trading veteran, a relative newcomer, or anywhere in between.

From the Inside Flap
Profitable commodities trading is now within reach of virtually every market-savvy investor. Why the recent change?

Erratic supplies of oil and other essential commodities, coupled with skyrocketing demand from China, India, and other rapidly developing countries and economies, have laid the groundwork for a long-term uptrend in the global commodities market. At the same time, the collapse of historic trading barriers has made it more possible than ever for traders of every size and style to reap regular profits from the accessible and untapped commodity trading market.

Commodity Fundamentals provides you with the knowledge and information you need to make consistent commodities trading a profitable, integral component of your overall trading activities. Written by Ronald Spurga, a Vice President of ABN AMRO Bank, bestselling finance author, and longtime veteran of the investment banking wars, this straightforward, step-by-step guidebook features:

• Supply/demand information for nearly two-dozen physical commodities in the precious metals, energy, grains, meats, and tropical commodity markets
• Detailed overviews and trading strategies for everything from gold and palladium to crude oil, natural gas, coffee, cattle, and other trader favorites
• Trading techniques that have proven uniquely powerful when applied to the commodities markets, including spread trades, cash and carry trades, and others
• In-depth chapters that describe the diversification, risks, and rewards possible through increasingly popular commodity funds
• Addresses, release dates, costs (where applicable), and more for updated and essential reports covering every important commodity

What is a futures contract? What are the major commodity exchanges, and where are they located? What are the differences between hedging and speculating? Commodity Fundamentals answers these questions and dozens more, all in a concise, no-nonsense style that is short on fluff and long on the actionable advice you need to compete and win in the global commodities marketplace.

Do you have what it takes to become a risk-conscious yet aggressive commodity speculator? As equities markets flounder and fixed income markets struggle to outpace inflation, the profit potential available in trading precious metals, energy, grains, and tropical commodities is becoming impossible to ignore. Let Commodity Fundamentals arm you with the up-to-the-minute information you need to trade in the historically profitable commodity marketplace—whether you are a trading veteran, a relative newcomer, or anywhere in between.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 196 pages
• Publisher: Wiley (September 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471788511
• ISBN-13: 978-0471788515
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #291,631 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not That Good, September 7, 2006

By	Michael F. McPartlan (Buffalo, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I do not normally like to post a poor review for a book, but after getting my copy of "Commodity Fundamentals" yesterday, I wanted to express my opinion.

My first complaint is that the title is misleading. To me, the word "fundamental" is a term of art in commodity trading meaning "attempting to buy and sell according to supply & demand factors." Although there is a crude overview of fundamentals, there is also a chapter on technical analysis (albeit one about five pages long).

The book is divided into sections based upon commodity type (metals, energy, grain and tropicals), and each section is divided into chapters. I was chagrined that wheat, corn, and soybeans were lumped into one chapter on grains. Those are much more important commodities (both in terms of monetary investment and open interest) than, say, cotton or orange juice (both of which had their own chapter).

The only reason that the book got any stars at all is because it was well-written and the little information that was there is accurate. If you know ANYTHING about trading commodities, you will find nothing new here. If you do not, there are better introductions out there.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars just an introduction, April 26, 2007

By	W Boudville (Terra, Sol 3) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Granted, the title does say Fundamentals. And the book contains one chapter on technical analysis. But it is only one out of 25 chapters. Strictly, to a purist who wants fundamental analysis, technical stuff is voodoo. I concur. But such is the subversive allure of the technical approach to many, who might covertly glance at the recent price history of a commodity. Even while pursuing a fundamental approach. So perhaps Spurga felt pragmatically compelled to give it a brief mention.

Overall, the book is indeed about looking at the fundamental factors that drive the supply and demand of numerous key commodities. From cattle to silver to oil etc. You get 24 chapters that are a synopsis of these factors. Actually, if you have been generally interested in financial matters, and not necessarily focused on commodities, there will be little new. Much of the text is enough to get you started in understanding the field. But don't regard it as enough to begin trading in a fundamental fashion. Start peering at more indepth texts.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Look elsewhere, November 9, 2006

By	Lonnie Vanzandt "PatientTrader" (Evergreen, CO USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Far too introductory and brief. There is very little new material or actionable strategy here.