Precious Metals are asset classes that are rare and have a high economic value due to various factors, including their scarcity, use in industrial processes, and role throughout history as a store of value. Precious Metals such as gold and silver are treated as commodities and are historically used as the basis for money. Today, Precious Metals are traded mainly to diversify portfolio and as a hedge against inflation. Precious Metals can be traded through several mechanisms, including owning physical bullion or coin, derivatives markets, or precious metals exchange traded funds.

Commodities are an important aspect of most daily life. A commodity is a basic good used in commerce that is interchangeable with other goods of the same type. Traditional examples of commodities include gold, oil, and natural gas.

For investors, commodities can be an important way to diversify their portfolio beyond traditional securities. Because the prices of commodities tend to move in opposition to stocks, some investors also rely on commodities during periods of market volatility.