what's the best way to purchase oil/gas futures?

[Gabi Hayes]

[Nite Owl]

1. Well you have to have

an account that can trade them.

This is a good broker:

http://interactivebrokers.com/en/main.php

I think www.ino.com has classes.

[Gabi Hayes]

2. how bout Schwab? Etrade? Ameritrade? I have accounts with them

thx

[Nite Owl]

5. You probably can

but IB is better at routing, very fast and cheap.

There are also courses here:



http://www.cboe.com/?GCID=S15299x002&KEYWORD=commodity+metal


It isn't as easy as it seems to trade futures, it's very speculative and subject to time and news. The big players know every move. You can make a fortune but lose it just as quickly. I think at ino you can set up a 'paper' portfolio to learn with. If you are serious about this talk to people who have done it and get advice. I can email you the link to a site with a trading room that is reputable.

[berni_mccoy]

3. Commodities Exchange (COMEX)

Futures on commodities are extremely risky and challenging investment vehicles. If you have to ask how/where to trade them, you are better off letting someone else do it for you (like in a fund).

[Sgent]

4. Most of the

traditional houses (Shearson, Merrill, etc) have dedicated commodities desks.

I imagine that the larger discounters (Q&R, Fidelity, Schwab) can process an order for options as well.

If you are NOT using it for hedging, stay out. Speculating on commodities is much riskier than stocks -- and it could cost you not only your investment, but a LOT more (like bankruptcy/your home) if you don't understand exactly what's going on.