Today, century-old methods of doing business in the metals markets are changing at lightning speed on significantly expanded volumes in electronic trading and increased regulation and compliance requirements as a result of the credit crunch.

Volatility in the metals markets has been phenomenal over the past year and would have tested risk management systems to the limit, while long-term negotiated iron ore contracts look like moving to a more flexible over-the-counter (OTC) forward market.

This results in an unprecedented period of opportunity and change for the commodities markets, which have rebounded after a sharp sell-off last year.

Both the base and precious metals markets are growing and the specialist metals traders and brokers are being joined in them by the big banks and other financial institutions.