Investors purchase and sell commodities via exchange-traded futures contracts or over-the-counter forward contracts. This practically implies that prices are decided upon months in advance, and these exchanges standardize the commodity's quantity and minimum quality. There will be a real exchange of items on the physical commodities market. Additionally, a breakfast cereal manufacturer may purchase a corn futures contract with a delivery date months in the future.

Thus, purchasing maize via a futures contract protects the buyer if the future market price of corn exceeds the agreed price. With the knowledge that the transaction will occur, both parties may plan and budget with confidence. However, the majority of commodity traders do not take physical possession of the goods. Speculators or traders in commodities take a financial stake (long or short) in a particular commodity. This can be accomplished through the use of an online trading platform.