Because developing countries, such as India, are rapidly evolving into a more technologically advanced society, the demand for the energy products to fuel such progress has rapidly shifted outward. Speculators and investors are becoming increasingly attracted to the multifunctionality of energy futures contracts.
Energy Futures Markets
Crude Oil Futures - The two major types of crude oil that traders and speculators focus on today are Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate (WTI).
Ethanol Futures - Ethanol's long-standing popularity as a feedstock, solvent, and liquor has kept traders and speculators interested in the energies markets for decades.
Heating Oil Futures - The amount of trading options for heating oil gives traders the ability and flexibility to manage price risk.
Natural Gas Futures - Although notoriously volatile in markets, natural gas has consistently grown to nearly a third of world energy consumption over the past decade.
RBOB Gasoline Futures - RBOB has quickly grown in popularity with futures traders, and it has also has become the new benchmark gasoline contract.