Official definition

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in acting as principals (i.e., investors who buy or sell for their own account) in buying or selling spot or futures commodity contracts or options, such as precious metals, foreign currency, oil, or agricultural products, generally on a spread basis, or acting as agents (i.e., brokers) in buying or selling spot or futures commodity contracts or options on a commission or transaction fee basis. Illustrative Examples: Commodity contract trading companies Commodity contracts brokerages Commodity futures brokerages Futures commodity contracts dealing (i.e., acting as a principal in dealing commodities to investors) Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in--