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The 10 Hottest Commodities of 2010

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Giovanny Moreano@GiovannyMoreano
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Hot Commodities

The Reuters/Jefferies CRB Index is a global commodity benchmark tracking 19 commodities that are mostly U.S. traded.

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, and the Reuters/Jefferies CRB Index, a global commodity benchmark tracking 19 commodities that are mostly U.S. traded, is at a two-year high.

The index has outperformed the S&P 500 in 2010, while several individual commodities have greatly outperformed the broader market year-to-date, affecting equities and indexes that are particularly exposed to fluctuating commodity prices.

We took a look at the commodities in the index, and calculated the ones with the best YTD performance based on the closing price on Oct. 14, 2010. Click ahead to find out.

By Giovanny Moreano
Posted Oct. 15, 2010

10. Live Cattle

YTD Change: +14% Closing Price: $98.275 per pound 52-Week High: $102.6 52-Week Low: $87.75: () YTD Change: +4%

YTD Change: +14%
Closing Price: $98.275 per pound
52-Week High: $102.6
52-Week Low: $87.75

Related ETF:
iPath DJ-UBS Livestock TR Sub-Idx (COW)
YTD Change: +4%

9. Gold

YTD Change: +26% Closing Price: $1,377.6 per ounce 52-Week High: $1,388.1 52-Week Low: $1,035.5 : () YTD Change: +51%

YTD Change: +26%
Closing Price: $1,377.6 per ounce
52-Week High: $1,388.1
52-Week Low: $1,035.5

Related ETF:
ProShares Ultra Gold(UGL)
YTD Change: +51%

8. Wheat

YTD Change: +29% Closing Price: $7.00-3/4 per bushel 52-Week High: $8.15-1/2 52-Week Low: $4.74 : () YTD Change: +17%

YTD Change: +29%
Closing Price: $7.00-3/4 per bushel
52-Week High: $8.15-1/2
52-Week Low: $4.74

Related ETF:
iPath DJ-UBS Grains TR Sub-Idx (JJG)
YTD Change: +17%

7. Nickel

YTD Change: +29% Closing Price: $24,370 per ton 52-Week High: $27.575 52-Week Low: $15,550 : () YTD Change: +29%

YTD Change: +29%
Closing Price: $24,370 per ton
52-Week High: $27.575
52-Week Low: $15,550

Related ETF:
iPath DJ-UBS Nickel TR Sub-Idx (JJN)
YTD Change: +29%

6. Oats

YTD Change: +36% Closing Price: $3.76/bushel 52-Week High: $3.83 52-Week Low: $2.09-3/4 : () YTD Change: +9%

YTD Change: +36%
Closing Price: $3.76/bushel
52-Week High: $3.83
52-Week Low: $2.09-3/4

Related ETF:
PowerShares DB Agriculture (DBA)
YTD Change: +9%

5. Corn

YTD Change: +37% Closing Price: $5.67-1/4 per bushel 52-Week High: $5.85-1/2 52-Week Low: $3.43-1/4 : () YTD Change: +14%

YTD Change: +37%
Closing Price: $5.67-1/4 per bushel
52-Week High: $5.85-1/2
52-Week Low: $3.43-1/4

Related ETF:
Market Vectors Agribusiness (MOO)
YTD Change: +14%

4. Coffee

YTD Change: +38% Closing Price: $1.876 / pound 52-Week High: $1.9865 52-Week Low: $1.3325 : () YTD Change: +32%

YTD Change: +38%
Closing Price: $1.876 / pound
52-Week High: $1.9865
52-Week Low: $1.3325

Related ETF:
iPath DJ-UBS Coffee TR Sub-Idx (JO)
YTD Change: +32%

3. Silver

YTD Change: +45% Closing Price: $24.435 / ounce 52-Week High: $24.95 52-Week Low: $14.74 : () YTD Change: +45%

YTD Change: +45%
Closing Price: $24.435 / ounce
52-Week High: $24.95
52-Week Low: $14.74

Related ETF:
iShares Silver Trust (SLV)
YTD Change: +45%

2. Palladium

YTD Change: +47% Closing Price: $601.55 / ounce 52-Week High: $606.25 52-Week Low: $326.5 : () YTD Change: +10%

YTD Change: +47%
Closing Price: $601.55 / ounce
52-Week High: $606.25
52-Week Low: $326.5

Related ETF:
UBS E-TRACS Long Platinum (PTM)
YTD Change: +10%

1. Cotton

YTD Change: +52% Closing Price: $1.1487 / pound 52-Week High: $1.1487 52-Week Low: $6.855 : () YTD Change: +57%

YTD Change: +52%
Closing Price: $1.1487 / pound
52-Week High: $1.1487
52-Week Low: $6.855

Related ETF:
iPath DJ-UBS Cotton TR Sub-Idx (BAL)
YTD Change: +57%