Derivative is a financial instrument whose value is derived from some other asset called the underlying. In commodity derivative markets raw products are traded. These commodities are traded on regulated commodity exchanges, in which they are bought and sold in standardized contracts. This study is interesting in as much as it provides a detailed analysis of commodity derivatives which were traditionally developed for risk management purposes are now growing in popularity as an investment tool. Also by critically examining the demarcation between the commodity and the security market, this book puts in perspective the need for the integration of the two markets, which would enable both the markets to benefit from economies of scale and also from the synergy generated.

Over the last decade, commodity derivatives trading in India has undergone a significant growth, and has surpassed equity derivatives trading. The book covers almost the entire spectrum of commodities traded in the Indian commodity market, including agricultural commodities, crude oil, base metal, precious metal, electricity, carbon, weather, freight, real estate, and water. A distinguishing feature of the book is that it lucidly explains the peculiarities of various commodities, delving into their technical and historical details. As commodity market in a country cannot function in isolation, commodity contracts traded in other international exchanges, like LME, CME, The Baltic Exchange, Nordpool, etc. have also been discussed in detail. Commodity derivatives contracts, such as futures, FRAs, options, Tapos, swaps, spreads (crush, crack, dark and spark), collars, ETFs, Contract for Differences (CfDs) and cool bonds, etc. have been discussed extensively in the book. Fundamental factors associated with different types of commodities have been dealt with to develop a deeper understanding of the peculiarities associated with various commodities. This book documents the case studies involving important commodity price manipulations and frauds in commodity derivatives trading. These have been analyzed to bring out the necessity and the role of the commodity market regulators in maintaining market integrity. Major commodity derivatives trading losses that have shaken up even some prominent companies all over the world have been discussed to highlight the risks associated with commodity derivatives trading. The book is intended for the postgraduate students of Management. It is equally beneficial for the students and professionals opting for Diploma courses in Banking and Finance.• Around 40 Business Snapshots have been presented at appropriate sections in the book, so that a reader can apply the concepts to real-life situations/happenings. • Around 100 Numerical Examples have also been worked in various chapters to help the reader develop a deeper understanding of the underlying theories. • Worked out examples and business snapshots have been provided in large numbers. • End of the chapter questions have been provided for the students to test their understanding. • Power Point slides available online at www.phindia.com/prabinarajib to provide integrated learning to the students.

Papers presented at the Workshop cum Seminar on "Indian Commodity Market Derivatives & Risk Management : the Road Ahead", held at Puducherry during 11-12 September 2009.

Despite the long and chequered history of commodity derivatives trading in this country, extending for more than century and a half, neither the lay nor the learned, including, surprisingly, most economists and even those involved in regulation of commodity derivatives exchanges, betray lack of knowledge on the theory, working, utility, and regulation of trading in commodity derivatives of diverse hues. It is against this background, the present book is aimed at teaching the commodity derivatives exchanges, their participants, the regulator s, and the students of commodity derivatives economics and managements, both the theory and regulation of commodity derivatives trading in all its aspects. For, a commodity economy like India must aim to develop strong global commodity derivatives markets in the country to promote swift growth in agriculture, industry, and international trade by strengthening competition and competitive efficiency to improve productivity, as also proficiency in marketing in all sectors of the economy. This book is a modest step towards achieving that aim and objective.

This book covers the entire syllabus of two papers, viz., Commodity Derivatives and Commodity Trading of Diploma in Commodity Derivative Examination, conducted by Indian Institute of Banking and Finance. All ardent learners of finance as also the professi

This study investigates the relationship between futures trading activity and spot market volatility for agricultural, metal, precious metals and energy commodities in Indian commodity derivatives market. This article contributes to the debate whether the futures trading in Indian commodity futures market stabilizes or destabilizes spot market. We explore this issue by modeling contemporaneous as well as dynamic relationship between spot volatility and futures trading activity including trading volume (speculative/day trading) and open interest (hedging). Following Bessembinder and Senguin (1992), we examine contemporaneous relationship through augmented GARCH model in which spot volatility is modeled as GARCH (1,1) process and trading activity is used as explanatory variable. We also decompose futures trading volume and open interest series into expected and unexpected component. The lead-lag relationship between spot price volatility and futures trading volume and open interest is investigated through VAR model. Granger causality tests, forecast error variance decompositions and impulse response function are used to understand the dynamic relationship between these variables. We found that both expected and unexpected futures trading volume affects contemporaneous spot volatility positively. However, in case of agricultural commodities only unexpected volume affects the contemporaneous spot volatility. Granger causality tests, forecast error variance decompositions and impulse response function confirm that the lagged unexpected volatility causes spot price volatility for all commodities. The effect of speculative/day trading activity measured by trading volume on spot market volatility is positive. However, hedging activity measured by open interest does not show significant effect on spot market volatility. We do not find any effect of spot volatility on futures trading activity for most of the commodities.

Instability of commodity prices has always been a major concern of the farmers, processors, merchandisers as well as the consumers in an agriculture-dominated economy. Farmers’ direct exposure to price fluctuations makes it too risky for them to invest in other wise profitable activities. There are various ways to cope with this problem. The agriculture commodity market is one of them. It serves a risk-shifting function and can be used to lock-in prices in advance instead of relying on uncertain price developments in future. Apart from being a vehicle for risk transfer among hedgers and from hedgers to speculators, these markets also play a major role in price discovery. The primary objective of this book is to impart the basic knowledge of derivatives market, types of derivative markets, agriculture futures market, regulator of commodity market, commodity exchanges, price discovery in commodity market and awareness among various stakeholders of commodity market.