2011's Hottest Commodities... So Far
Commodities are something many investors can relate to. What's not to like about corn, crude oil, or copper?
Some commodities have been on a tear in recent months. In fact, the Reuters/Jefferies CRB Index, a global commodity benchmark tracking 19 commodities that are mostly U.S. traded, is near a two-and-a-half year high.
In 2010 the CRB index rose by 17% compared to a 13% gain for the S&P 500. Several individual commodities continue to greatly outperform the broader market year-to-date, affecting equities and indexes particularly exposed to fluctuating commodity prices.
CNBC’s analytics team compiled a list of the 10 best-performing commodities in the CRB index so far this year, based on the closing prices on March 29, 2011. Click ahead to learn the hottest commodities of the first quarter of 2011!
By Giovanny Moreano
Posted 30 Mar 2011
10. Corn
% Chg in 2011: 6.8%
Closing Price: $671.75 / bushel
52-Week High: $742
52-Week Low: $324.5
Related ETF:
CORN, +6%
9. LME* Aluminum
% Chg in 2011: 6.9%
Closing Price: $2,648 / metric ton
52-Week High: $2,650
52-Week Low: $1,830
Related ETF:
JJU, +6%
*Alumiunum as it trades on the London Metals Exchange
8. Coffee
% Chg in 2011: 8.7%
Closing Price: $2.6145 / pound
52-Week High: $2.9665
52-Week Low: $1.3020
Related ETF:
JO, +9%
7. Live Cattle
% Chg in 2011: 8.8%
Closing Price: $117.9 / pound
52-Week High: $118.1
52-Week Low: $87.2
Related ETF:
COW, +6%
6. Crude Oil
% Chg in 2011: 15%
Closing Price: $104.79 / barrel
52-Week High: $106.95
52-Week Low: $67.15
Related ETN:
OLO, +11%
5. Lean Hogs
% Chg in 2011: 17%
Closing Price: $93.6 / pound
52-Week High: $94.80
52-Week Low: $65.15
Related ETF:
GSG, +8%
3. (Tied) Silver
% Chg in 2011: 20%
Closing Price: $36.987 / ounce
52-Week High: $38.180
52-Week Low: $16.935
Related ETF:
SLV, +10%
3. (Tied) Heating Oil
% Chg in 2011: 20%
Closing Price: $3.0415 / gallon
52-Week High: $3.1372
52-Week Low: $1.8483
Related ETF:
UHN, +19%
2. RBOB Gasoline
% Chg in 2011: 25%
Closing Price: $3.0458 / gallon
52-Week High: $3.0936
52-Week Low: $1.7849
Related ETF:
DBE, +15%
1. Cotton
% Chg in 2011: 35%
Closing Price: $194.88 / bushel
52-Week High: $219.70
52-Week Low: $72.96
Related ETF:
BAL, +38%