Metals Trading

Trade a wide variety of metals with a FREE subscription-based trading account and no markups on spread, swap or commission (up to $1M a month) here with MarketMates.

[NEW_last_date_and_author]

Table of Contents

What is metals trading?

Metals trading involves buying and selling physical metals like gold, silver, platinum and palladium on global markets. These metals are often viewed as safe-haven assets, retaining their value during economic uncertainty.  

The goal of metals trading is to profit from price movements driven by supply and demand, geopolitical events and market sentiment. 

Metals trading can be done through CFDs, futures contracts, spot trading or ETFs, offering a way to diversify your portfolio and hedge against inflation or currency risk. 

It’s a popular choice for both short-term traders and long-term investors looking for tangible assets with intrinsic value. 

Start trading metals with MarketMates – enjoy limitless monthly trading with no hidden costs, all for one flat monthly fee. Start your free trial today! 

The benefits of trading metals

Diversification

Metals provide a unique way to diversify your portfolio, reducing risk by including non-correlated assets 

Inflation hedge

Metals tend to perform well in inflationary environments, often increasing in value during periods of inflation  

Safe-haven assets

Precious metals like gold and silver are often considered safe-haven assets, retaining their value during economic downturns and market volatility

Global demand

Metals have intrinsic value and are in demand worldwide for various industrial, technological and financial applications 

High liquidity

Gold and silver markets have high liquidity, making it easy to enter or exit trades at your desired price

Frequently asked questions

What are the risks of metals trading?
  • Price volatility: Metals prices can fluctuate significantly, especially in response to global events or changes in supply 
  • Leverage risks: Trading metals with leverage can magnify losses as well as gains 
  • Geopolitical risk: Political instability or changes in mining regulations can disrupt the supply of metals 
  • Economic factors: Changes in global interest rates or currency values can affect the demand and price of metals 
  • Liquidity risks: Some less-traded metals, like platinum, may have lower liquidity, making it harder to execute large trades 
  • Safe-haven status: Precious metals like gold are viewed as safe-haven assets, unlike most other commodities 
  • Industrial demand: Metals like copper have significant industrial uses, while precious metals are often used for investment purposes 
  • Price stability: Metals tend to hold their value over time, whereas other commodities, like oil, are more susceptible to large price swings 
  • Market drivers: Metals are driven by both industrial demand and investor sentiment, while commodities like oil are more influenced by supply and demand in the energy market 
  • Inflation hedge: Metals are often used as an inflation hedge, while other commodities may not offer the same protection 
  • Gold: Known for its liquidity, gold is the most actively traded metal, making it highly suitable for both short-term traders and long-term investors 
  • Silver: Offers more volatility than gold, which can be attractive for active traders looking for larger price swings 
  • Platinum: A more niche market than gold or silver, platinum offers significant price movement due to its industrial demand 
  • Copper: Used widely in industrial applications, copper’s price can reflect economic growth, making it a good option for those focusing on global economic trends 
  • Gold: It is considered the easiest to trade due to its high liquidity, low spread, and consistent market demand 
  • Silver: Offers more volatility but is still liquid enough to be traded easily by both beginners and experienced traders 
  • Copper: Common in the commodity market, copper is straightforward to trade and its price often correlates closely with key economic indicators 
  • Platinum: Though less liquid than gold, platinum offers consistent demand from industry, making it relatively easy to trade 
  • Palladium: Slightly more difficult due to its smaller market, but still a viable option for traders familiar with its industrial use 

Why MarketMates?

Price Chart

A powerful chart for you to use with all the customisable options you’d expect from TradingView.  

Change the ticker, the time view, the type of chart you wish to view, and then add your favourite indicators. 

Market Overview Data

This market overview list provides a broad overview of the metals market performance.

Check the change values, open, high, low and previous price for a range of bonds.

Market News

Keep track of what’s happening in the metals markets with this daily news summary, filtered to bring you the most important metals and commodities news as it happens.

The Advanced Forex Course

for Smart Traders 2.0

Join over 42,000 traders and get FREE access to 17+ lessons and five hours of on-demand video based on the famous ‘Market Wizards’.

Join the Course

Join over 42,000 traders and get FREE access to 17+ in-depth lessons.

marketmates