What were the commodities that these companies traded in ?

The commodities that companies traded in will depend on their sector of activity. Companies in the energy sector, for example, may have traded in oil, natural gas, coal, and gasoline. Companies in the food industry could have traded in agricultural products such as wheat, corn, and soybeans. Companies in the metals sector may have traded in metals like iron, gold, and silver. Companies in the financial sector may have traded in stocks, bonds, currencies, and other financial instruments. Whatever the sector, companies typically traded in a variety of commodities to make profits on individual purchases and sales.