In financial markets, commodities are classified as either metals, energies, or softs, intermediate products. The common metals are gold and silver, while energies are oil (Brent and WTI) and gas. On the other hand, softs are agricultural products such as wheat, soybean, livestock, and corn.

Traditionally, commodities were traded in established markets such as the Tokyo Commodity Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange, London Metal Exchange, Tokyo Commodity Exchange, and the New York Board of Trade, among other markets.