Welcome to Commodities 101, a foundational course designed to introduce you to the world of commodities (both physical and futures) and how they're traded.  This comprehensive introductory course demystifies the world of commodities by exploring their structure, market dynamics, key participoants, and the tools used to manage risk and gain exposure.

The course delves into commodity types, market volatility, the influence of geopolitics, and the evolving landscape of commodity derivatives.  It also provides an overview of how contracts are structured and traded across exchanges, the role of technology, and key regulatory considerations.

Whether you're new to the sector or looking to deepen your understanding of how commodities are traded, hedged, and managed, this course offers the essential knowledge and context to navigate today's complex markets.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, participants will:

• Understand the fundamental structure and purpose of commodity futures markets.
• Understand the global nature of commodity markets and their unique exposure to geopolitical events.
• Identify the primary participants in commodity markets, their roles and activities.
• Differentiate between commodity futures, forwards and OTC products along with any key operational differences.
• Interpret commodity futures contract specifications and understand their real-world implications.
• Appreciate the differences in clearing, settlement (physical vs cash), warehousing, and delivery mechanisms unique to physical commodity futures contracts.
• Understand the role of Price Reporting Agencies (PRAs) in capturing and reporting prices for physical commodities - both those with futures and those without.
• Understand the key risks, especially geopolitical and market volatility, that influence commodity prices.
• Understand who the relevant policymakers are along with regulatory frameworks and be able to understand the purpose of key commodity-specific regulations such as position limits.
• Recognize emerging trends, including new product development and tokenization in commodity markets.

Who Should Attend

This course is ideal for:

• Professionals new to commodity markets or transitioning from other asset classes.
• Market participants seeking a foundational understanding of commodity derivatives.
• Risk managers, operations staff, legal and compliance professionals who need to understand the structure and function of commodity markets in a trading, hedging, or operational context.
• Regulators and policymakers who oversee commodity markets.
• Technology and data professionals working on platforms or systems for commodity trading.

Note: Participants should have a basic familiarity with contract specifications for commodity contracts.  

Level:  Basic

Duration and Format:  This virtual instructor-led workshop is delivered in 90-minute sessions on two consecutive dates from 10:30 to 12:00 (Eastern Time).

Qualify for a discount?  FIA Member firms and their employees are eligible for discounts on courses.  FIA members include more than 300 financial services firms as well as fund managers, commercial hedgers, global exchanges, technology vendors, and legal and other professional service providers.