Commodity ETF's
are a recent addition to the
financial industry that permits investors and traders to invest in an
product that tracks the index of commodity based products or a basket
of underlying commodity stocks. Exchange traded funds have grown
popular in recent years as an alternative to investing in shares,
options and futures. In the case of commodities, it is a less risky way
to gain exposure that would otherwise require the use of derivatives.
ETF's that comprise stocks also offset risk because the product is
weighted according to the constituent stocks as opposed to one
particular stock.
The following
represents some commodity based ETF's:
PowerShares DB MS
Agri (DBA)
This is an agricultural commodities ETF that is designed to track the
Deutsche Bank Liquid Commodity Index-Optimum Yield Agriculture Excess
Return Agriculture ER.
This is designed to reflect the agricultural sector. Investors and
traders can take long or short positions in this ETF in accordance with
their market objectives.
PowerShares DB Cm
Index (DBC)
This commodity exchange traded fund is also designed to track the
performance of the Deutsche Bank Liquid Commodity Index-Excess Return.
iPath ETN DJ-AIG
CITR A (DJP)
This ETF fund seeks to track the performance of the Dow Jones-AIG
Commodity Index Total Return.
Market Vectors
(Agribusiness): (MOO)
This funds invests up to 80% of available funds in US based business
that have exposure to the agricultural sector.
iShares
S&P GSCI Commmodity (GSG)
The ETF Trust seeks to replicate the investment results of the GSCI
Excess Return Index.
PowerShares DB MS
PMtl (DBP)
This commodity ETF is intended to reflect the precious metals sector by
tracking the Deutsche Bank Liquid Commodity Index-Optimum Yield
Precious Metals Excess Return
PowerShares DB MS
Slvr (DBS)
This ETF fund tracks the Deutsche Bank Liquid Commodity Index-Optimum
Yield Silver Excess Return which is based on the underlying price of
silver.
Other Gold and oil
based exchange traded funds are
discussed in on the page related to that topic. Commodity ETF's are
expected to gain increasing exposure as weather anomalies and the US
dollar continues to come under pressure in response to changes in
market forces and structure. As an alternative to outright shares,
commodity exchange traded funds are a versatile investment vehicle that
can be used for short term and long term directional trading. With the
ability to take long or short positions, they can also be used for
hedge management purposes.