Worried about crowding? So is Barclays. But do your homework before jumping into their new commodity ETNs, as the notes hold some surprises for investors.

 

As ETFS files for more shares for its popular palladium trust, how will the market for the underlying metal be affected?

 

This week, a survey of the commodities markets yielded precious few prospects for turnaround trades. There were just two standouts in the base metals sectors—nickel and aluminum.

We examine a certain recurring technical pattern in gold, and what it means for future prices.

 

With historic inventory levels and persistently low prices, can a bullish case for natural gas still be made?

 

Can China's growing appetite for batteries lend support for lead? Or will recessionary fears and rising inventories bring the metal crashing down?

 

As China buys up U.S. corn for the first time in four years, how will the purchase affect grain prices in the near future?

• Why China wants U.S. corn
• Can the higher prices continue?
• Will soybeans and wheat also rally?

Are banks actually driving the gold price up?

• New claims of upward manipulation
• What's an FR Y-9C, and why it matters
• Are banks driving prices—or just hedging?

What's the real reason GLD trades at a discount to spot metal? The answer might surprise you.

• Why the London PM fix matters
• How arbitrage keeps GLD in line
• What difference 40 basis points make