Commodity Market Roundup- September’s Top Performers and Underperformers

Commodity Prices - Agricultural commodity prices in the grain/oilseed, soft, and animal protein sectors experienced losses in September, with the exception of October lean hog futures, which gained 5.08% [1] - Cooperative weather conditions contributed to lower prices for soybean, corn, and wheat, as indicated in the September WASDE report, which remained bullish on supplies but bearish on prices [6] - Soft commodities saw declines across the board, with cocoa futures leading with a 12.46% price drop, while coffee, cocoa, and orange juice prices remained elevated due to previous price surges [7] - The end of the 2025 grilling season led to lower prices for live and feeder cattle, although beef futures remained near record highs [8] Precious Metals - Gold reached a record high of nearly $3,900 per ounce, marking its eighth consecutive record quarterly peak, despite being the worst-performing precious metal in September [2] - Silver futures saw a significant increase, reaching their highest level since 2011, approaching the $49.82 high from that year and the all-time peak of $50.36 from 1980 [3] - Palladium outperformed silver with a 14.54% gain in September, while platinum futures also surged by 15.62%, reaching their highest price since February 2014 [4] - Precious metals significantly outperformed other commodities in September, with all four trading on the CME's COMEX and NYMEX divisions posting double-digit percentage gains [5] Energy Sector - In September, WTI and Brent futures prices were slightly lower due to increased OPEC+ production and U.S. energy policy, although geopolitical tensions provided some support [9] - Oil products reflected seasonal trends, with gasoline futures showing a marginal gain and heating oil futures posting a more significant increase [10] - Natural gas prices experienced a slight decline of under 1% in September, but are expected to rise as the peak demand season approaches [16] Stock Market and Economic Indicators - The stock market saw gains, with the S&P 500 rising 3.53% and reaching record highs in September, while the U.S. dollar index posted a marginal gain despite concerns over tariffs and rising debt levels [12][13][14] - The Federal Reserve cut the short-term Fed Funds Rate by 25 basis points in September, marking the first rate cut in 2025 [12] Future Outlook - Factors to watch in October include the potential for gold to reach $4,000 and silver's approach to new record highs, while livestock futures remain elevated despite expected price weakness in meats and gasoline [15] - The commodities market is anticipated to experience continued volatility in October and beyond, influenced by geopolitical events and seasonal demand changes [19]