Full Title: Commodities Rising: The Reality Behind the Hype and How to Really Profit in the Commodities Market

Author: Jeffrey Christian

Publisher/Date:  Wiley (2006)

List Cost/Pages:  $28 Hardcover / 272 pages

Cover Notes:
Commodities markets are a fascinating part of the world economy and financial markets. Besides being the building blocks of the real economy, commodities provide investors with superior long-term investment performance results and offer traders tremendous short-term opportunities.

Over his thirty-year career, commodities expert Jeffrey Christian has gained broad firsthand knowledge about how these markets work; how commodities are monetized and traded around the world; and how these various transactions are executed. Now, in Commodities Rising, he wants to share those experiences with you.

Written in a straightforward and accessible style, Commodities Rising analyzes the current commodity environment and looks out over the next few years to identify potential profit situations for investors and traders. More importantly, it will show you how commodities can be used to reduce risk and increase returns in a balanced investment portfolio. You’ll be introduced to a variety of ways in which you can gain exposure to commodities—through both direct and indirect means—as well as discover some specific strategies that will allow you to use the instruments you choose effectively and manage your positions with confidence.

Commodities Rising also works hard to debunk much of the misinformation currently circulating about this market, and provides a reasoned and authoritative reality check. Some of the more widely circulated myths are addressed, including the concept of a long-lasting supercycle in rising commodity prices and the idea that China will be a massive consumer of commodities whose actions will drive prices even higher.

The second half of this book takes a deeper look at sixteen specific commodities grouped under the following headings:

  • Precious metals: gold, silver, platinum,and palladium
  • Energy: petroleum, natural gas, and uranium
  • Tropical agriculturals: cocoa, coffee, and cotton
  • Grains: corn, soybeans, and wheat
  • Base metals: copper, lead, and zinc

Each chapter includes critical background information needed to assess the attractiveness of these individual commodities as investments.

Filled with in-depth insights, practical examples, and a number of engaging anecdotes, Commodities Rising is an invaluable informational resource for today’s serious investor or trader.