Intense, real-world, memorable - gamified simulation training
Intense, real-world, memorable - gamified simulation training
Students step into the volatile world of commodities trading - balancing supply shocks, geopolitical risk, and pricing strategies - in our Commodities Simulation.
Commodity Types: Energy, metals, agriculture, and softs
Spot vs Futures Markets: Physical delivery vs financial settlement
Supply and Demand Dynamics: Seasonal effects, geopolitical tensions, and inventory cycles
Price Volatility: Natural disasters, trade embargoes, and currency shifts
Hedging Strategies: Using futures, forwards, and options to manage price risk
Logistics and Procurement: Storage costs, transport timing, and quality risk
Market Participants: Producers, consumers, speculators, and arbitrageurs
Analyze market data, weather reports, and global news affecting commodity prices
Make buying or selling decisions under supply and demand uncertainty
Execute spot, futures, or forward contracts based on timing and strategy
Hedge commodity exposure using derivative instruments
Manage working capital, delivery schedules, and storage constraints
Present portfolio performance and pricing rationale to simulated stakeholders
Students experience the fast-paced, high-stakes environment of commodities trading. They learn to:
Interpret macroeconomic and geopolitical signals that drive price volatility
Manage physical and financial exposure in global markets
Choose appropriate instruments to hedge or speculate on prices
Balance operational constraints with financial strategy
Communicate pricing decisions and portfolio results clearly and confidently
Reflect on ethical and sustainability issues in global commodity flows
Do students need prior experience in trading or commodities? No. The simulation includes onboarding for all major commodity types, pricing mechanisms, and trading instruments.
Which commodities are covered in the simulation? The default simulation includes oil, natural gas, gold, wheat, and copper. Additional modules are available for agriculture and softs (e.g. coffee, cotton).
Can students use derivatives to hedge? Yes. Students can trade futures and forwards to hedge exposure or take speculative positions based on market views.
Does the simulation include geopolitical events? Yes. Students react to evolving headlines, supply chain disruptions, sanctions, OPEC decisions, and more.
What roles can students play? Students can be traders, analysts, or procurement managers depending on course objectives and team structure.
Is the simulation single-player or team-based? Both formats are supported. Teams often work well for strategy development, role-play (e.g., CFO + trader), and internal negotiations.
How long does the simulation run? A full cycle typically runs 3 - 4 hours, though it can be extended over multiple sessions with evolving market conditions.
How is student performance evaluated? Performance is based on trading P&L, hedging effectiveness, inventory management, and justification of strategy under uncertainty.
Does the simulation involve ethical or sustainability challenges? Yes. Optional modules include decisions around sourcing, carbon emissions, supply chain labor risk, and ESG-aligned procurement.
Is this suitable for non-finance students (e.g. operations or sustainability)? Absolutely. The simulation bridges finance, supply chain management, and sustainability, making it ideal for multidisciplinary cohorts.
Join this 20-minute webinar, followed by a Q&A session, to immerse yourself in the simulation.
or
Book a 15-minute Zoom demo with one of our experts to explore how the simulation can benefit you.
