commodities-list

What this skill does

# Commodities List

Retrieve comprehensive information about tradable commodities and commodity trading companies across sectors using the Octagon MCP server.

## Prerequisites

Ensure Octagon MCP is configured in your AI agent (Cursor, Claude Desktop, Windsurf, etc.). See [references/mcp-setup.md](references/mcp-setup.md) for installation instructions.

## Workflow

### 1. Define Scope

Determine which commodity categories you want to explore:
- **Energy**: Oil, natural gas, power, coal
- **Metals**: Precious metals, base metals, industrial metals
- **Agriculture**: Grains, softs, livestock

### 2. Execute Query via Octagon MCP

Use the `octagon-agent` tool with a natural language prompt:

```
Retrieve the full catalog of tradable commodities across energy, metals, and agriculture.
```

**MCP Call Format:**

```json
{
  "server": "octagon-mcp",
  "toolName": "octagon-agent",
  "arguments": {
    "prompt": "Retrieve the full catalog of tradable commodities across energy, metals, and agriculture."
  }
}
```

### 3. Expected Output

The agent returns categorized commodity market information:

**Energy Commodities:**

| Company | Commodities Traded | Key Markets/Services |
|---------|-------------------|---------------------|
| Six One Commodities LLC | Natural gas, LNG, power | Wholesale trading, physical marketing |
| Freepoint Commodities LLC | Natural gas, power, oil, coal | Physical supply, risk management |
| ACT Commodities Group B.V. | Renewable energy, carbon emissions | Climate projects, emission allowances |

**Metals Commodities:**

| Company | Commodities Traded | Key Markets/Services |
|---------|-------------------|---------------------|
| Metallica Commodities | Non-ferrous/ferrous metals | PCB recycling, mineral development |
| Javelin Global Commodities | Metallurgical coal, iron ore | Dry bulk trading |

**Agriculture Commodities:**

| Company | Commodities Traded | Key Markets/Services |
|---------|-------------------|---------------------|
| Global Tea & Commodities | Tea, coffee, macadamia nuts | Wholesale production, distribution |

**Data Sources**: octagon-companies-agent

### 4. Interpret Results

See [references/interpreting-results.md](references/interpreting-results.md) for guidance on:
- Understanding commodity categories
- Evaluating market participants
- Analyzing trading services
- Researching specific commodities

## Example Queries

**Full Catalog:**
```
Retrieve the full catalog of tradable commodities across energy, metals, and agriculture.
```

**Energy Focus:**
```
List all energy commodities and trading companies.
```

**Metals Focus:**
```
What metals are traded and by which companies?
```

**Agriculture Focus:**
```
Show agricultural commodities and market participants.
```

**Specific Commodity:**
```
What companies trade natural gas?
```

**Service Focus:**
```
Which companies offer commodity risk management services?
```

## Commodity Categories

### Energy Commodities

| Commodity | Description |
|-----------|-------------|
| Crude Oil | WTI, Brent, Dubai |
| Natural Gas | Henry Hub, NBP, TTF |
| LNG | Liquefied natural gas |
| Power/Electricity | Wholesale electricity |
| Coal | Thermal, metallurgical |
| Emissions | Carbon credits, allowances |
| Refined Products | Gasoline, diesel, jet fuel |

### Metals Commodities

| Category | Examples |
|----------|----------|
| Precious Metals | Gold, silver, platinum, palladium |
| Base Metals | Copper, aluminum, zinc, nickel, lead |
| Ferrous Metals | Iron ore, steel, scrap |
| Minor Metals | Lithium, cobalt, rare earths |
| Metal Concentrates | Copper concentrate, zinc concentrate |

### Agricultural Commodities

| Category | Examples |
|----------|----------|
| Grains | Wheat, corn, soybeans, rice |
| Softs | Coffee, cocoa, sugar, cotton |
| Oilseeds | Palm oil, rapeseed, sunflower |
| Livestock | Cattle, hogs, poultry |
| Dairy | Milk, cheese, butter |
| Tropical | Tea, rubber, spices |

## Market Participants

### Trading Companies

| Type | Description |
|------|-------------|
| Physical Traders | Buy/sell actual commodities |
| Financial Traders | Derivatives and futures |
| Merchant Traders | Both physical and financial |
| Brokers | Facilitate transactions |

### Trading Services

| Service | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| Physical Marketing | Buying/selling physical goods |
| Wholesale Trading | Large-scale transactions |
| Risk Management | Hedging, derivatives |
| Price Discovery | Market intelligence |
| Logistics | Transportation, storage |

## Key Market Concepts

### Trading Types

| Type | Description |
|------|-------------|
| Spot | Immediate delivery |
| Forward | Future delivery, OTC |
| Futures | Exchange-traded contracts |
| Options | Right to buy/sell |
| Swaps | Exchange cash flows |

### Market Structure

| Element | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| Exchanges | CME, ICE, LME |
| OTC Markets | Direct counterparty |
| Physical Markets | Actual goods |
| Financial Markets | Derivatives |

## Company Analysis

### Evaluating Traders

| Factor | Consideration |
|--------|---------------|
| Commodities Covered | Range of products |
| Geographic Reach | Markets served |
| Services Offered | Trading, logistics, risk |
| Market Position | Size, reputation |
| Specialization | Focus areas |

### Business Models

| Model | Description |
|-------|-------------|
| Pure Trading | Buy/sell spread |
| Integrated | Trading + assets |
| Service Provider | Risk management, advisory |
| Technology | Data, analytics platforms |

## Sector Trends

### Energy Trends

| Trend | Impact |
|-------|--------|
| Energy Transition | Renewables, carbon markets |
| LNG Growth | Global gas trade |
| Electrification | Power market expansion |
| Emissions Trading | Carbon pricing |

### Metals Trends

| Trend | Impact |
|-------|--------|
| EV Battery Metals | Lithium, cobalt demand |
| Decarbonization | Green steel |
| Recycling | Circular economy |
| Supply Chain | Critical minerals |

### Agriculture Trends

| Trend | Impact |
|-------|--------|
| Climate Impact | Supply volatility |
| Sustainability | Traceability |
| Food Security | Strategic importance |
| Technology | Precision agriculture |

## Common Use Cases

### Market Research
```
What commodities are actively traded in the energy sector?
```

### Competitor Analysis
```
Who are the major players in metals trading?
```

### Supply Chain
```
Which companies handle agricultural commodity logistics?
```

### Risk Management
```
What firms offer commodity hedging services?
```

### Sector Overview
```
Give me an overview of the commodity trading landscape.
```

## Analysis Tips

1. **Understand categories**: Energy, metals, agriculture have different dynamics.

2. **Consider integration**: Physical vs. financial trading.

3. **Check geographic focus**: Regional vs. global players.

4. **Evaluate services**: Trading vs. risk management vs. logistics.

5. **Track trends**: Energy transition, sustainability, technology.

6. **Note specialization**: Generalist vs. specialist firms.

## Integration with Other Skills

| Skill | Combined Use |
|-------|--------------|
| sector-performance-snapshot | Commodity sector metrics |
| industry-performance-snapshot | Daily commodity moves |
| stock-quote | Commodity company stocks |
| financial-metrics-analysis | Trader financials |