Ankur Rajoria

Student (Batch-2006-SEM-III) ICFAI Business School ICFAI House, Nr. GNFC Tower, S.G. Highway, Bodakdev, Ahmedabad-380 054 E-mail: ankurrajoria04@yahoo.co.in / ankur.rajoria@gmail.com Mobile: 9898097790 1. Commodity and Commodities market 1.1 INTRODUCTION India, a commodity based economy where two-third of the one billion population depends on agricultural commodities, surprisingly has an under developed commodity market. Unlike the physical market, futures markets trades in commodity are largely used as risk management (hedging) mechanism on either physical commodity itself or open positions in commodity stock. For instance, a jeweler can hedge his inventory against perceived short-term downturn in gold prices by going short in the future markets. The article aims at know how of the commodities market and how the commodities traded on the exchange. The idea is to understand the importance of commodity derivatives and learn about the market from Indian point of view. In fact it was one of the most vibrant markets till early 70s. Its development and growth was shunted due to numerous restrictions earlier. Now, with most of these restrictions being removed, there is tremendous potential for growth of this market in the country. 1.2 COMMODITY A commodity may be defined as an article, a product or material that is bought and sold. It can be classified as every kind of movable property, except Actionable Claims, Money & Securities. Commodities actually offer immense potential to become a separate asset class for market-savvy investors, arbitrageurs and speculators. Retail investors, who claim to understand the equity markets, may find commodities an unfathomable market. But commodities are easy to understand as far as fundamentals of demand and supply are concerned. Retail investors should understand the risks and advantages of trading in commodities futures before taking a leap. Historically, pricing in commodities futures has been less volatile compared with equity and bonds, thus providing an efficient portfolio diversification option. In fact, the size of the commodities markets in India is also quite significant. Of the country's GDP of Rs 13, 20,730 crore (Rs 13,207.3 billion), commodities related (and dependent) industries constitute about 58 per cent. Currently, the various commodities across the country clock an annual turnover of Rs 1, 40,000 crore (Rs 1,400 billion). With the introduction of futures trading, the size of the commodities market grows many folds here on. 1.3 COMMODITY MARKET Commodity market is an important constituent of the financial markets of any country. It is the market where a wide range of products, viz., precious metals, base metals, crude oil, energy and soft commodities like palm oil, coffee etc. are traded. It is important to develop a vibrant, active and liquid commodity market. This would help investors hedge their commodity risk, take speculative positions in commodities and exploit arbitrage opportunities in the market.

By

Table: 1 Turnover in Financial Markets and Commodity Market (Rs in Crores) S No. 1 2 3 I Forex Market Total Stock Market Turnover (I+ II) National Stock Exchange (a+b) a)Cash b)Derivatives II Bombay Stock Exchange (a+b) a)Cash b)Derivatives 4 Commodities Market Market segments Government Securities Market 2002-03 1,544,376 658,035 1,374,405 1,057,854 617,989 439,865 316,551 314,073 2,478 NA (13) (63) (27) (56) (43) 2003-04 2,518,322 2,318,531 3,745,507 3,230,002 1,099,534 2,130,468 515,505 503,053 12,452 130,215 (4.7) (18.7) (91.2) (84) (136) (117) 2004-05 (E) 2,827,872 3,867,936 4,160,702 3,641,672 1,147,027 2,494,645 519,030 499,503 19,527 500,000 (16.1) (16.7) (91) (124.4) (133.8) (117.1)

Note: Fig. in bracket represents percentage to GDP at market prices Source: Sebi bulletin

1.4 Its EVOLUTION IN INDIA Bombay Cotton Trade Association Ltd., set up in 1875, was the first organized futures market. Bombay Cotton Exchange Ltd. was established in 1893 following the widespread discontent amongst leading cotton mill owners and merchants over functioning of Bombay Cotton Trade Association. The Futures trading in oilseeds started in 1900 with the establishment of the Gujarati Vyapari Mandali, which carried on futures trading in groundnut, castor seed and cotton. Futures' trading in wheat was existent at several places in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. But the most notable futures exchange for wheat was chamber of commerce at Hapur set up in 1913. Futures trading in bullion began in Mumbai in 1920. Calcutta Hessian Exchange Ltd. was established in 1919 for futures trading in raw jute and jute goods. But organized futures trading in raw jute began only in 1927 with the establishment of East Indian Jute Association Ltd. These two associations amalgamated in 1945 to form the East India Jute & Hessian Ltd. to conduct organized trading in both Raw Jute and Jute goods. Forward Contracts (Regulation) Act was enacted in 1952 and the Forwards Markets Commission (FMC) was established in 1953 under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution. In due course, several other exchanges were created in the country to trade in diverse commodities. 1.5 Structure of Commodity Market

1.6 Different types of commodities traded World-over one will find that a market exits for almost all the commodities known to us. These commodities can be broadly classified into the following: Precious Metals: Gold, Silver, Platinum etc Other Metals: Nickel, Aluminum, Copper etc Agro-Based Commodities: Wheat, Corn, Cotton, Oils, Oilseeds. Soft Commodities: Coffee, Cocoa, Sugar etc Live-Stock: Live Cattle, Pork Bellies etc Energy: Crude Oil, Natural Gas, Gasoline etc 1.7 Different segments in Commodities market The commodities market exits in two distinct forms namely the Over the Counter (OTC) market and the Exchange based market. Also, as in equities, there exists the spot and the derivatives segment. The spot markets are essentially over the counter markets and the participation is restricted to people who are involved with that commodity say the farmer, processor, wholesaler etc. Derivative trading takes place through exchange-based markets with standardized contracts, settlements etc. 1.8 Leading commodity markets of world Some of the leading exchanges of the world are New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX), the London Metal Exchange (LME) and the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT). 1.9 Leading commodity markets of India The government has now allowed national commodity exchanges, similar to the BSE & NSE, to come up and let them deal in commodity derivatives in an electronic trading environment. These exchanges are expected to offer a nation-wide anonymous, order driven, screen based trading system for trading. The Forward Markets Commission (FMC) will regulate these exchanges. Consequently four commodity exchanges have been approved to commence business in this regard. They are: Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) located at Mumbai. National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange Ltd (NCDEX) located at Mumbai. National Board of Trade (NBOT) located at Indore. National Multi Commodity Exchange (NMCE) located at Ahmedabad.
Turnover on Commodity Futures Markets (Rs. In Crores) Exchange NCDEX NBOT MCX NMCE ALL EXCHANGES 2003-04 1490 53014 2456 23842 129364 2004-05 FIRST Half 54011 51038 30695 7943 170720

1.10 Volumes in Commodity Derivatives Worldwide

2. Commodity Futures Trading in India 2.1 INTRODUCTION Derivatives as a tool for managing risk first originated in the Commodities markets. They were then found useful as a hedging tool in financial markets as well. The basic concept of a derivative contract remains the same whether the underlying happens to be a commodity or a financial asset. However there are some features, which are very peculiar to commodity derivative markets. In the case of financial derivatives, most of these contracts are cash settled. Even in the case of physical settlement, financial assets are not bulky and do not need special facility for storage. Due to the bulky nature of the underlying assets, physical settlement in commodity derivatives creates the need for warehousing. Similarly, the concept of varying quality of asset does not really exist as far as financial underlyings are concerned. However in the case of commodities, the quality of the asset underlying a contract can vary largely. This becomes an important issue to be managed. 2.2 Benefits to Industry from Futures trading. * Hedging the price risk associated with futures contractual commitments. * Spaced out purchases possible rather than large cash purchases and its storage. * Efficient price discovery prevents seasonal price volatility. * Greater flexibility, certainty and transparency in procuring commodities would aid bank lending. * Facilitate informed lending. * Hedged positions of producers and processors would reduce the risk of default faced by banks. * Lending for agricultural sector would go up with greater transparency in pricing and storage. * Commodity Exchanges to act as distribution network to retail agri-finance from Banks to rural households. * Provide trading limit finance to Traders in commodities Exchanges. 2.3 Benefits to Exchange Member * Access to a huge potential market much greater than the securities and cash market in commodities. * Robust, scalable, state-of-art technology deployment. * Member can trade in multiple commodities from a single point, on real time basis. * Traders would be trained to be Rural Advisors and Commodity Specialists and through them multiple rural needs would be met, like bank credit, information dissemination, etc. 2.4 Why Commodity Futures? One answer that is heard in the financial sector is "we need commodity futures markets so that we will have volumes, brokerage fees, and something to trade''. I think that is missing the point. We have to look at futures market in a bigger perspective -- what is the role for commodity futures in India's economy?

In India agriculture has traditionally been an area with heavy government intervention. Government intervenes by trying to maintain buffer stocks, they try to fix prices, and they have import-export restrictions and a host of other interventions. Many economists think that we could have major benefits from liberalization of the agricultural sector. In this case, the question arises about who will maintain the buffer stock, how will we smoothen the price fluctuations, how will farmers not be vulnerable that tomorrow the price will crash when the crop comes out, how will farmers get signals that in the future there will be a great need for wheat or rice. In all these aspects the futures market has a very big role to play. If you think there will be a shortage of wheat tomorrow, the futures prices will go up today, and it will carry signals back to the farmer making sowing decisions today. In this fashion, a system of futures markets will improve cropping patterns. Next, if I am growing wheat and am worried that by the time the harvest comes out prices will go down, then I can sell my wheat on the futures market. I can sell my wheat at a price, which is fixed today, which eliminates my risk from price fluctuations. These days, agriculture requires investments -- farmers spend money on fertilizers, high yielding varieties, etc. They are worried when making these investments that by the time the crop comes out prices might have dropped, resulting in losses. Thus a farmer would like to lock in his future price and not be exposed to fluctuations in prices. The third is the role about storage. Today we have the Food Corporation of India, which is doing a huge job of storage, and it is a system, which -- in my opinion -- does not work. Futures market will produce their own kind of smoothing between the present and the future. If the future price is high and the present price is low, an arbitrager will buy today and sell in the future. The converse is also true, thus if the future price is low the arbitrageur will buy in the futures market. These activities produce their own "optimal" buffer stocks, smooth prices. They also work very effectively when there is trade in agricultural commodities; arbitrageurs on the futures market will use imports and exports to smooth Indian prices using foreign spot markets. In totality , commodity futures markets are a part and parcel of a program for agricultural liberalization. Many agriculture economists understand the need of liberalization in the sector. Futures markets are an instrument for achieving that liberalization.

KERALA STUDENTS PACKAGE

Itinerary ...

Day 01 :Leave from Nagpur at 4 am.

Day 02 : (22-01-2012)Arrival at Trissur Railway station.Pick up from Railway station . Have breakfast & Refreshment nearby and proceed to Athirappally.Visit Athirapally waterfalls. After proceed to Cochin. Lunch at Cochin and proceed to Aleppy Hotel.. On arrival at Alleppy at 2.30 pm, check into the hotel. Free leisure at hotel. Boat cruise at Alleppy for 3 hours from 3pm to 6 pm..Back to hotel.Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 03 : (23-01-2012)After breakfast proceed to Thekkady.Local sightseeing in ThekkadyThekkady is one of the world's most fascinating wild life reserves, the Periyar wild life sanctuary spread across 777 Sq. KM. of which 360 Sq. KM is thick ever green forest. The Periyar wild life sanctuary was declared as a Tiger Reserve in 1978 noted for its geomorphology, diversity of wild life and scenic beauty. Dinner with Campfire & Music in Thekkady. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 04 : (24-01-2012)After breakfast check out from the hotel .After boating at Thekkady proceed to Munnar.On arrival check into the hotel. Free leisure at hotel. Campfire at night. Dinner at hotel & Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 05: (25-01-2012) After breakfast proceed for Sightseeing in Munnar. Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundale. 1600 Meter above sea level. This hill station was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British government in South India. Sprawling Tea Plantation picture-book towns, winding lanes and holiday facility makes this a popular town. Local sightseeing of Munnar - visit Tea Factory Museum, Mattupetty Dam, Kundale Lake and Echo point etc. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 06: (26-01-2012) After breakfast check out from the hotel and proceed to Cochin. On

the way to Cochin Visit Anna & Kitex industial company. On arrival at Cochin ,check into the hotel. DJ with dinner at hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 07: (27-01-2012)After breakfast , proceed for Sightseeing in Cochin- Marine Drive, Fort Cochin, Mattancheri etc. check out from the hotel and proceed for departure transferDay 08Reach Nagpur at 23.50 .

Tour Ends

Tour Cost: INR 5,550 per person on Four sharing basis.

Cost Include :-

# Accommodation in hotels (Non a/c room )

# Entry charge for Tea Museum in Munnar.

# Non a/c 49 seater bus for transportation.

# All sightseeing mentioned in the itinerary.

# 3 hours boat cruise in Alleppy.

# Campfire in Munnar & thekkady. DJ in Cochin.

# Govt.Taxes, driver batta, toll, Parking etc

Cost Exclude :-

# All extras in hotels like laundry charge, guide charge, other meals etc. # Entry charge for boating at Thekkady. # Any train food.