Guide to Commodities — Producers, Players and Prices

The recent fortunes made by investors in rare earth metals and gold are just two shining examples of what an extremely profitable investment class commodities can be. But with radical swings in price volatility (think oil) and the vagaries of global geopolitics, commodities also can be one of the trickiest arenas in which to play. Written by the Senior Commodities Editor for The Economist Intelligence Unit, this book provides you with a comprehensive, highly practical look at the commodities markets. In addition to covering major trends and key changes in the markets, both past and present, it supplies you with proven tools for analyzing and taking full advantage of this ever-changing asset class.

• Focuses specifically on natural commodities classes, such as natural resources and raw materials, both mineral and agricultural
• Explores trends in the consumption and production of the commodities in question as well as the changing markets for those goods
• Describes how commodities prices have changed historically and in recent years and how they are likely to change in future
• Arms investors with an array valuable tools for analyzing market movements, timing trades and tracking and predicting price volatility

Caroline Bain is responsible for the Economist Intelligence Unit's commodity coverage and forecasts. She manages an extensive network of analysts contributing to the EIU's World Commodity Forecast reports on soft and hard commodities and energy. Before joining the EIU, she worked in fund management as an economist involved in asset allocation.