BCOM Methodology
BCOM Methodology
The data and information (the “Information”) presented in this methodology (this “Methodology”) reflect the
methodology for determining the composition and calculation of the Bloomberg Commodity Index
(“BCOM” or the “Index”) and related sector, ex-sector, forward, roll select and currency-hedged
Bloomberg Commodity Indices (the “Subindices”), which is calculated, administered and published by
Bloomberg Index Services Limited (“BISL” or the “Index Administrator” and, collectively with its affiliates,
“Bloomberg”). This Methodology is the successor document to the Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index
Handbook published in prior years and replaces it in its entirety.
By accepting this Methodology, you agree that you will not reproduce the Methodology, in whole or part,
in any form or by any means, or disclose, reproduce, redistribute or transmit, in whole or part, in any form
or by any means, the Information without the written consent of BISL. The Information may not be used as
the basis of any product without the express prior written consent of BISL.
This Methodology contains information as of the date appearing on its cover, and such information may
change from time to time. While this Methodology will be updated periodically, no assurance can be given
that this Methodology reflects information subsequent to the date appearing above.
Information for inclusion in, or for use in, the calculation of the Index (including historic price, liquidity and
production data) is obtained from sources whose accuracy is believed to be reliable, but which may be
subject to errors in data sources or errors that may affect the calculation of the Index weights. Any
discrepancies requiring revision will not be applied retroactively but will be reflected in the weighting
calculations of the Index for the following year.
Neither Bloomberg nor any of its respective subsidiaries or affiliates: (i) makes any representation or
warranty, express or implied, regarding the Index, related indices, Subindices or any data included therein;
(ii) guarantees the accuracy and/or completeness of the Index, related indices, Subindices or any data
included therein; (iii) shall have any liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions with respect to the
Index, related indices, Subindices or related data; (iv) makes any warranty, express or implied, as to the
results to be obtained by any person or entity, and each of them expressly disclaims all warranties of
merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use, with respect to the Index, related indices,
Subindices or any data included therein; and (v) without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall
Bloomberg or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates have any liability for any lost profits or indirect, punitive,
special or consequential damages or losses, even if notified of the possibility thereof.
SEE “CERTAIN RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE BLOOMBERG COMMODITY INDEX” BEGINNING ON
PAGE 10 FOR IMPORTANT RISKS AND DISCLAIMERS RELATING TO THE INDEX AND THE
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN.
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The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
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The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Contents
CHAPTER 1 OVERVIEW OF THE INDEX 5
SECTION 1.1 INTRODUCTION 5
SECTION 1.2 CONSTRUCTION PRINCIPLES 6
SECTION 1.3 GOVERNANCE 9
SECTION 1.4 INDEX LIMITATIONS AND RISKS 11
APPENDIX 41
APPENDIX A GLOSSARY 41
APPENDIX B ADDITIONAL NOTES ON INDEX CONSTRUCTION 45
APPENDIX C EXAMPLE ROLL PERIOD CALCULATIONS 47
APPENDIX D CALCULATION OF COMMODITY INDEX PERCENTAGES 48
APPENDIX E SUMMARY OF CALCULATIONS 56
APPENDIX F CPWS AND LEAD FUTURES PRICES FOR 2023 BCOM 59
APPENDIX G MARKET DISRUPTION EVENT INDEX CALCULATIONS 61
APPENDIX H INDIVIDUAL SUBINDEX CALCULATIONS 63
APPENDIX I CALCULATION OF NON-USD BCOM AND BCOMTR 68
APPENDIX J CALCULATION OF FORWARD MONTH INDICES 76
APPENDIX K CALCULATION OF 50:50 AGRICULTURE AND ENERGY INDEX 81
APPENDIX L CALCULATION OF ROLL SELECT INDEX 82
APPENDIX M CALCULATION OF 2-4-6 FORWARD BLEND 85
APPENDIX N CALCULATION OF SETTLEMENT INDICES 87
APPENDIX O CALCULATION OF EX-AG & LIVESTOCK CAPPED INDICES 88
APPENDIX P CALCULATION OF SINGLE COMMODITY CAPPED INDICES 92
APPENDIX Q BLOOMBERG COMMODITY INDEX FILES 93
APPENDIX R CALCULATION OF LEVERAGED AND INVERSE INDICES 94
APPENDIX S BLOOMBERG EUA TRACKER 96
APPENDIX T POLICIES & PROCEDURES 101
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The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
The Bloomberg Commodity Index (“BCOM” or the “Index”) is designed to be a highly liquid and diversified
benchmark for commodity investments. BCOM provides broad-based exposure to commodities and no
single commodity or sector dominates the Index.
Representativeness
The indices use a consistent, systematic process to represent the commodity markets. A commodity index
should fairly represent the importance of a diversified group of commodities to the world economy. To
achieve a fair representation, BCOM uses both liquidity data and U.S. -dollar-weighted production data in
determining the relative quantities of included commodities. BCOM Index purports to provide diversified
exposure to commodities as an asset class. The explicit inclusion of liquidity as a weighting factor helps to
ensure that BCOM can accommodate substantial investment flows.
The Index was created by AIG International Inc. in 1998, acquired by UBS in May 2009, administered by
Bloomberg starting in 2014, which later acquired the Index in September 2020. BISL calculates and
administers BCOM (which is calculated on an excess return basis), a total return index based on BCOM
(the “BCOMTR”) and each of the related indices and Subindices described in this Methodology. 2
This Methodology describes the calculation methodology for the Index and its related indices and
Subindices. Material changes or amendments to this Methodology are subject to approval by the Product,
Risk & Operations Committee (further described in Section 1.3). Questions and issues relating to the
application and interpretation of terms contained in this document generally and calculations during periods
of extraordinary circumstances in particular will be resolved or determined by BISL.
Throughout this Methodology, references to “BCOM” and “Index” shall also refer to its related indices
and Subindices, except if the context does not so require.
1. See, e.g., E. Ankrim, and C. Hensel C., “Commodities in Asset Allocation: A Real-Asset Alternative to Real Estate,
Financial Analysts Journal, May/June 1993: 20–29; K. Froot, “Hedging Portfolios with Real Assets,” Journal of Portfolio
Management Summer 1995: 60–77; G. Huberman, “The Desirability of Investment in Commodities via Commodities
Futures,” Derivatives Quarterly, Fall 1995: 65–67.
2. Values of BCOM, BCOMTR and related indices and Subindices are currently distributed by various major market
data vendors.
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The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
The value of the Index is computed on the basis of hypothetical investments in the basket of commodities
that make up the Index. The Index embodies four main principles in its design:
• Economic Significance
• Diversification
• Continuity
• Liquidity
BCOM primarily relies on liquidity data, or the relative amount of trading activity of a particular commodity,
as an important indicator of the value placed on that commodity by financial and physical market participants.
BCOM also relies on production data as a useful measure of the importance of a commodity to the world
economy. Production data alone, however, may underestimate the economic significance of storable
commodities (e.g., gold) at the expense of relatively non-storable commodities (e.g., live cattle).
Production data alone may also underestimate the investment value that financial market participants place
on certain commodities and/or the amount of commercial activity that is centered on various commodities.
Accordingly, production statistics alone do not necessarily provide as accurate a reflection of economic
importance as the pronouncements of the markets themselves. BCOM thus relies on data that is both
endogenous to the futures markets (liquidity) and exogenous to the futures markets (production) in
determining relative weightings.
Gold clearly illustrates the potential shortcomings of exclusive reliance on production data and the greater
balance provided by reliance on liquidity data. Since time immemorial, gold has played a unique role in the
world of commodities that is not effectively captured by current production data. For example, although only
2,340 metric tons of gold were produced in 2007, approximately 29,900 metric tons were held as official
government reserves. Of the approximately 155,000 tons of gold that has historically been mined, as of
2007, approximately 85% was still held by central banks and by nongovernmental entities in bullion, coin,
and jewelry form.3
Based on production data, a production-based ranking of commodities would result in a relatively low weight
of approximately 1.6% for gold. Conversely, a relatively non-storable commodity, such as live cattle, would
receive an approximate weighting of 6.5% under a production-based ranking. 4 This 4:1 approximate ratio of
live cattle to gold may not appropriately reflect the relative economic significance of the two commodities.
For example, a 100% increase in the price of gold may be a more significant global economic event than a
25% increase in the price of live cattle, yet the two events would have a nearly identical impact on a
production-weighted index. Primary reliance on liquidity data as a weighting measure reduces this type of
distortion.
3. U.S. Geological Survey 2007 Minerals Yearbook–Gold, Table 1 & Table 8, 31.2.
4. See Appendix D.
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The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
(2) Diversification
A second major goal of BCOM is to provide diversified exposure to commodities as an asset class.
Disproportionate weighting of any particular commodity or sector increases volatility and negates the
concept of a broad-based commodity index. Instead of diversified commodities exposure, the investor is
unduly subjected to micro-economic shocks in one commodity or sector.
The following diversification rules have been established and are applied annually:
• No single commodity (e.g., natural gas, silver) may constitute more than 15% of the Index;
• No single commodity, together with its derivatives (e.g., WTI crude oil and Brent crude oil, together
with ULS diesel, Unleaded gas, and Low Sulfur Gas Oil), may constitute more than 25% of the Index;
• No related group of commodities (e.g., energy, precious metals, livestock or grains) may constitute
more than 33% of the Index;
• No single commodity (e.g., natural gas, silver) may constitute less than 2% of the Index as liquidity
allows.
The last rule helps to increase the diversification of the Index by giving even the smallest commodity within
the basket a reasonably significant weight. Commodities with small weights initially may have their weights
increased to higher than 2% by prior steps.
In addition to the above rules, BCOM is rebalanced annually on a price-percentage basis to maintain
diversified commodities exposure over time.5
(3) Continuity
A third goal of BCOM is to be responsive to the changing nature of commodity markets in a manner that
does not completely reshape the character of the Index from year to year. BCOM is intended to provide a
stable benchmark, so that end-users may be reasonably confident that historical performance data
(including such diverse measures as correlation, spot yield, roll yield and volatility) is based on a structure
that bears some resemblance to both the current and future composition of the Index. Several Index
features, including annual rebalancing, five-year averaging 6 of liquidity and production data, and the
diversification rules set forth below, 7 should allow for a smooth response to future market developments.
(4) Liquidity
Another goal of BCOM is to provide a highly liquid index, suitable for institutional investment. The explicit
inclusion of liquidity as a weighting factor helps to ensure that BCOM can accommodate substantial
investment flows. The liquidity of an index not only affects transaction costs associated with current
investments but may also affect the reliability of historical price performance data. That is, to the extent that
market inefficiencies may result from substantial inflows of investment capital, these inefficiencies—and
corresponding distortions in index performance—will be minimized by weighting distributions that more
closely mirror actual liquidity in the markets.
(5) Summary
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The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Table 1 illustrates the percentage weights for certain commodities and commodity groups in BCOM as of
January 2023,8 based on the principles described above. It should be noted that no single commodity or
group dominates the Index, creating a truly diversified commodities benchmark. Additional details in respect
to the percentage weights are set forth in Appendix D.
UCITS Compliance—The diversification rules of the Index are structurally compatible with the European
Union’s UCITS 35/20 requirements. The history of BCOM is well within the parameters set by the European
Union UCITS 35/20 directives.
8. Rounded target weightings as of January 2023. Actual percentages on any Business Day may vary from the target weights due
to market price fluctuations. The labeled categories are based on the Subindices described in Appendix H, with Natural Gas and
Soybean Meal and Soybean Oil in separate categories
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The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Please refer to the “Governance Structure” section in BISL Benchmark Procedures Handbook available here.
Conflicts of Interest
Please refer to the “Conflicts of Interest” section in BISL Benchmark Procedures Handbook available here
for details
Though the Indices are designed to be representative of the markets they measure or otherwise align with
their stated objective, they may not be representative in every case or achieve their stated objective in all
instances. They are designed and calculated strictly to follow the rules of this Methodology, and any index
level or other output is limited in its usefulness to such design and calculation.
Markets can be volatile, including those market interests which the Indices intend to measure or upon which
the Indices are dependent in order to achieve their stated objective. For example, illiquidity can have an impact
on the quality or amount of data available to the Index Administrator for calculation and may cause the Indices
to produce unpredictable or unanticipated results.
In addition, market trends and changes to market structure may render the objective of the Index unachievable
or to become impractical to replicate by investors.
The following is a summary of certain risks associated with BCOM but is not meant to be an exhaustive list of
all risks associated with the Index or an investment in commodities, commodity futures or commodity-linked or
commodity index-linked products generally.
Commodity Prices May Change Unpredictably, Affecting the Value of the Index in Unforeseeable
Ways
Trading in futures contracts on physical commodities, including trading in the Index components, is speculative
and can be extremely volatile. Market prices of the Index components and the underlying physical
commodities may fluctuate rapidly based on numerous factors, including changes in supply and demand
relationships (whether actual, perceived, anticipated, unanticipated or unrealized); weather; agriculture; trade;
fiscal, monetary and exchange control programs; domestic and foreign political and economic events and
policies; disease; pestilence; technological developments; changes in interest rates, whether through
government action or market movements; and monetary and other government policies, action and inaction.
The current or “spot” prices of the underlying physical commodities may also affect, in a volatile and inconsistent
manner, the prices of futures contracts in respect to the relevant commodity. These factors may affect the
value of the Index, related indices and Subindices in varying ways, and different factors may cause the
prices of the Index components, and the volatilities of their prices, to move in inconsistent directions at
inconsistent rates.
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The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Suspension or Disruptions of Market Trading in Commodities and Related Futures May Adversely
Affect the Value of the Index
The futures markets occasionally experience disruptions in trading (including temporary distortions or other
disruptions due to various factors such as the lack of liquidity in markets, the participation of speculators
and government regulation and intervention) referred to in this Methodology as “Market Disruption Events.”
Market Disruption Events include the cessation, for a material time, of trading in futures contracts included
in the Index or the imposition by the futures exchange on which one or more such futures contracts are
traded of a “limit price,” a range outside of which such futures contracts are not permitted to trade. In
addition, a futures exchange may replace or delist a futures contract included in the Index. Procedures have
been established to address such events; such procedures are set forth in this Methodology.9 There can be
no assurance, however, that a Market Disruption Event, the replacement or delisting of a commodity
contract or any other force majeure event will not have an adverse or distortive effect on the value of the
Index or the manner in which it is calculated.
Future Prices of the Index Components That Are Different Relative to Their Current Prices May
Affect the Value of the Index
The Index is composed of commodity futures contracts rather than physical commodities. Unlike equities,
which typically entitle the holder to a continuing stake in a corporation, commodity futures contracts normally
specify a certain date for delivery of the underlying physical commodity. As the exchange-traded futures
contracts that compose the Index approach expiration, they are replaced by similar contracts that have a later
expiration. Thus, for example, a futures contract purchased and held in August may specify an October
expiration date. As time passes, the contract expiring in October may be replaced by a contract for delivery in
December. This process is referred to as “rolling.”
If the market for these contracts is in “backwardation,” which means that the prices are lower in the distant
delivery months than in the nearer delivery months, the purchase of the December contract would take
place at a price that is lower than the sale price of the October contract. Conversely, if the market for these
contracts is in “contango,” which means that the prices are higher in the distant delivery months than in the
nearer delivery months, the purchase of the December contract would take place at a price that is higher
than the sale price of the October contract. The difference between the prices of the two contracts when
they are rolled is sometimes referred to as a “roll yield,” and the change in price that contracts experience while
they are components of the Index is sometimes referred to as a “spot return.” An investor in the Index cannot
receive either the roll yield or the spot return separately.
The presence of contango in the commodity markets could result in negative roll yields, which could
adversely affect the value of the Index. Because of the potential effects of negative roll yields, it is possible
for the value of the Index to decrease significantly over time, even when the near-term or spot prices of
underlying commodities are stable or increasing. It is also possible, when near-term or spot prices of the
underlying commodities are decreasing, for the value of the Index to decrease significantly over time even
when some or all of the constituent commodities are experiencing backwardation.
Certain commodities included in the Index, such as gold, have historically traded in contango markets and
the Index has experienced periods in which many of the commodities in the Index are in contango. Although
certain of the contracts included in the Index have historically experienced periods of backwardation, it is
possible that such backwardation will not be experienced in the future.
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The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
The Index May in the Future Include Contracts That Are Not Traded on Regulated Futures
Exchanges
The Index was originally based solely on futures contracts traded on regulated futures exchanges (referred to
in the United States as “designated contract markets”). At present, the Index is comprised exclusively of
regulated futures contracts. As described below, however, the Index, related indices or Subindices may in
the future include over-the-counter contracts (such as swaps and forward contracts) traded on trading facilities
that are subject to lesser degrees of regulation or, in some cases, no substantive regulation. As a result, trading
in such contracts and the manner in which prices and volumes are reported by the relevant trading facilities
may not be subject to the provisions of and the protections afforded by the U.S. Commodity Exchange Act or
other applicable statutes and related regulations that govern trading on regulated U.S. futures exchanges or
similar statutes and regulations that govern trading on regulated U.K. futures exchanges. In addition, many
electronic trading facilities have only recently initiated trading and do not have significant trading histories. As
a result, the trading of contracts on such facilities and the inclusion of such contracts in the Index, related
indices or Subindices may be subject to certain risks not presented by U.S. or U.K. exchange-traded futures
contracts, including risks related to the liquidity and price histories of the relevant contracts.
Data Sourcing, Data Publication and Calculation Risks Associated with the Index May Adversely
Affect the Level of the Index or the Value of an Investment Linked to the Index
The composition of the Index, related indices or Subindices is recalculated annually relying on historic price,
liquidity and production data that are subject to potential errors in data sources or other errors that may
affect the weighting of components of the Index, related indices or Subindices. Any discrepancies that
require revision are not applied retroactively but will be reflected in the weighting calculations of the Index,
related indices or Subindices for the following year. Additionally, BISL may not discover every discrepancy.
Furthermore, the weightings for the Index, related indices or Subindices are determined by BISL, which
has a significant degree of discretion with respect to the Index, related indices and Subindices. This discretion
would permit, among other things, changes to the composition of the Index, related indices or Subindices or
changes to the manner or timing of the publication of the values of such indices at any time during the year if
BISL deemed the changes necessary in light of factors that include, but are not limited to: (i) changes in
liquidity of the underlying futures contracts that are included in the Index, related indices or Subindices or (ii)
changes in legal, regulatory, sourcing or licensing matters relating to publication or replication of the Index,
related indices or Subindices. In particular, without limitation, BISL’s access to and rights to use data in
connection with calculating, publishing and licensing the Index, related indices and Subindices remain subject
to the ongoing consent of the sources of such data (including, without limitation, exchanges), which consent can
be revoked at any time. Further, the sources of such data reserve the right to revise the terms and conditions of
access and use of their data upon notice to BISL. BISL reserves the right to modify the composition of the
Index, related indices or Subindices on an as-needed basis to minimize the impact of any loss of access to
or revised terms of use with respect to such source data on the indices.
BISL has no obligation to take the needs of any parties to transactions involving the Index, related indices
or Subindices into consideration when reweighting or making any other changes to the Index, related
indices or Subindices.
Other Considerations
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The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
The provisions and procedures set forth in this Methodology grant a significant degree of discretion BISL, as
administrator of the Index, in a number of respects. BISL may exercise this discretion as it determines to
be most appropriate. Furthermore, this Methodology does not address all possible issues relating to the
Index, related indices or Subindices and any omissions or exceptions may be addressed as deemed to
be appropriate. In addition, this Methodology and any other provisions or procedures relating to such indices
may be amended at any time.
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The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
BCOM is composed of futures contracts on physical commodities. Unlike equities, which typically entitle the
holder to a continuing stake in a corporation, commodity futures contracts normally specify a certain date for
the delivery of the underlying physical commodity. To avoid the delivery process and maintain a long futures
position, nearby contracts must be sold and contracts that have not yet reached the delivery period must be
purchased. This process is known as “rolling” a futures position. BCOM is a “rolling index.”
The following overview does not purport to be a complete description of the Index and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to the detailed information provided in applicable sections of this
Methodology.
The composition of the Index is rebalanced by BISL each year pursuant to the procedures set forth in this
Methodology by index managers operating within the PROC (defined below) governance body under the
oversight of the BOC (defined below) oversight function. Any material deviations or changes from established
procedures are subject to review by such bodies. In addition, to the extent practicable, BISL may solicit
stakeholder feedback, including by means of the Index Advisory Council. Once approved, the new
composition of the Index is publicly announced and takes effect in the month of January immediately following
the announcement.
The first step in constructing BCOM is to determine the relative liquidity and production percentages. The
Commodity Liquidity Percentage (“CLP”) for each futures contract (a “Designated Contract”) selected as a
reference contract for commodity designated for potential inclusion in the Index (collectively, “Commodities”)
is determined by taking a five-year average of the product of trading volume and the historic U.S. dollar value
of such futures contract and dividing the result by the sum of such products for all Designated Contracts. The
Commodity Production Percentage (“CPP”) is also determined for each Commodity by taking a five-year
average of production figures, adjusted by the historic U.S. dollar value of the applicable Designated
Contract, and dividing the result by the sum of such products for all Commodities.
The Commodity Liquidity Percentage and the Commodity Production Percentage are then combined (using
a ratio of 2:1) to establish the Commodity Index Percentage (“CIP”) for each Commodity. This Commodity
Index Percentage is then adjusted in accordance with the diversification rules described in Section 1.2
above and Section 2.6 below to determine the Commodities that will be included in the Index (“Index
Commodities”) and their respective percentage weights.
On the fourth Business Day of the month of January (the “CIM Determination Date”) following the calculation
of the CIPs, the CIPs are combined with the Settlement Prices of all Designated Contracts for such day to
create the Commodity Index Multiplier (“CIM”) for each Designated Contract. The Commodity Index Multipliers
remain in effect throughout the ensuing year.
Once the CIMs are determined, the calculation of BCOM is an arithmetic process whereby the CIMs for the
Index Commodities are multiplied by the respective prices in U.S. dollars for the applicable Designated
Contracts. The products are then summed. The daily percentage change in this sum is then applied to the
prior day’s BCOM value to calculate the then-current BCOM value. 10
10. See Sections 2.8 and 3.1.
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The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
The following 22 Commodities are in the Index for 2023 year following application of the index rules:
1. Aluminum
2. Coffee
3. Copper
4. Corn
5. Cotton
6. Crude Oil
7. Gold
8. Lead
9. Lean Hogs
10. Live Cattle
11. Low Sulphur Gas Oil
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The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Historically, through and including the composition of the Index for 2023, BISL has chosen for each Commodity
one Designated Contract that is traded in North America and denominated in U.S. dollars (with the exception
of several LME contracts, which are traded in London, and with the exception of crude oil, for which two
Designated Contracts have been selected starting in 2012, and wheat, for which two Designated Contracts
that are traded in North America have been selected starting in 2013).
It is possible that BISL will in the future select more than one Designated Contract for additional commodities
or may select Designated Contracts that are traded outside of the United States or in currencies other than
the U.S. dollar. For example, in the event that changes in regulations concerning position limits materially
affect the ability of market participants to replicate the Index in the underlying futures markets, it may
become appropriate to include multiple Designated Contacts for one or more Commodities (in addition to crude
oil and wheat) to enhance liquidity.
The termination or replacement of a futures contract on an established exchange occurs infrequently; were a
Designated Contract to be terminated or replaced, a comparable futures contract would be selected, if
available, to replace that Designated Contract.
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The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
BCOM utilizes the Copper contract traded on the COMEX division of the C M E G r o u p (“COMEX”) as the
Designated Contract for copper but utilizes COMEX prices for this Designated Contract and LME copper
contract volume data for purposes of Index calculation. The Index incorporates volume data for the LME
copper contract as it is more actively traded than the COMEX High Grade Copper contract and provides a
better indication of the relative significance of this commodity.
11. Contract specifications for frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) and feeder cattle are included solely for
purposes of the single- commodity Subindices described in, or referenced by, Appendix H.
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The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Price Information
The trading period for the COMEX High Grade Copper contract extends until 1:00 pm ET, whereas the daily
settlement price for LME copper is determined at 12:00 p.m. ET12. Most of the Designated Contracts that
are not LME contracts are actively traded for several hours after 12:00pm ET. The additional one-hour
period of daily exchange trading in copper gained from referring to the COMEX contract should enhance the
transparency and liquidity of the Index compared with a reference to the prices of LME copper contracts.
Furthermore, likely end-users of BCOM have significantly less access to updated information on LME
copper monthly spread quotes than that available on a real-time basis for COMEX copper.
Liquidity
An adjustment is made to the overall U.S. dollar LME copper contract trading volume to compensate for
trading volume distribution of the LME contract relative to the COMEX High Grade contract. Although
overall U.S. dollar volume figures for the LME copper contract are higher than those for the COMEX High
Grade Copper contract, for purposes of the calculation of BCOM, these relative volume numbers may
overstate the potential difference in “useful” liquidity. All COMEX trading activity, like that of other U.S.
exchanges, is centered on particular monthly contracts. A large percentage of LME copper volume reflects
trading for particular dates other than those potentially designated for inclusion in the Index and an
adjustment is made to compensate for this when utilizing LME volume numbers for the calculation of the
Index. 13
12. Generally in respect of LME contracts for the calculation of the BCOM, Final Closing Prices (as defined in the LME
rules) are utilized as a proxy for daily settlement prices on U.S. exchanges. These prices are determined by the LME
on the basis of trading that concludes during the P.M. Kerb Session, which extends between 11:35am-12:00 ET.
13. For aluminum, lead, nickel, tin and zinc, no liquid U.S.-dollar-denominated futures contracts exist outside of the
LME. Should such contracts become available in the future, the BOC may consider them as potential Designated
Contracts for BCOM.
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The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Live Cattle
Livestock
Lean Hogs
Corn Soybeans
Soybean Oil
Grains
Soybean Meal
Wheat (Chicago and KC HRW)
Cocoa
Coffee
Softs
Cotton
Sugar
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The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Adjustments are made, as described in Section 2.6 below, to avoid the “double-counting” of Primary
Commodities that would result if Primary Commodities and Derivative Commodities were viewed as wholly
separate categories. BISL, as Index Administrator, may determine that other Index Commodities qualify
as Derivative Commodities, and the adjustments described in Section 2.6 below will then be made with
respect to those Derivative Commodities as well.
In contrast to U.S. futures, which are typically listed on a monthly or bimonthly basis and trade only during
specific hours, LME contracts can be traded over-the-counter, 24 hours a day, for value on any Business
Day within a three-month window extending out from spot. In addition, LME contracts can be traded for
settlement on the third Wednesday of each month extending out 27 months from the date the contract is
made. Accordingly, historical data comparable to that of U.S. futures contracts is not available for these
LME contracts and certain adjustments to the available data are made for purposes of calculating this
component of the Index. In particular, LME contracts that trade on the third Wednesday of each month will
serve as a proxy for U.S. futures contracts. The calculation of BCOM will utilize the LME contracts that trade
on the third Wednesday of every other month, starting with January.
14. Although BCOM incorporates the prices of the COMEX High Grade Copper contract, the more actively traded LME
copper contracts are used for determining the CLP for copper because the LME copper contracts provide a better
indication of the relative significance of this commodity. See Section 2.2(2) above.
15. The “Calculation Period” for each year for which the Index is calculated is typically the third or fourth calendar
quarter of the year preceding such year of calculation.
16. Volume Data Source: U.S. and International Monthly Volume reports; published by the Futures Industry Association,
electronic data used.
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The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Furthermore, because of the greater flexibility of trading times and dates, reported LME volume figures
cannot be directly compared with those for traditional futures contracts traded on U.S. exchanges. To
equate LME volume data with U.S. exchanges, BCOM will use one-third of reported LME volume in its
calculation. This discounting allows a fair comparison of LME volume data with U.S. volume data for
purposes of measuring the relative liquidity of various Designated Contracts.
Table 3 sets forth the most recent five years of volume data as reported by the FIA, Bloomberg, and the
adjusted LME data.
Table 3: Contract Volume Data
Table 4 sets forth the corresponding average Settlement Prices for Lead Futures on the first Business Day
of each month, these figures are used in combination with the volume data above to calculate the
Commodity Liquidity Percentages. The Lead Future is the contract month set forth under the corresponding
WAV month in Table 9. These Settlement Prices have all been converted into U.S. dollars per unit.
20
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Table 4: Average Lead Futures Price on First Business Day of Each Month
Commodity 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Natural Gas $2.90 $2.90 $2.08 $2.87 $5.38
Crude Oil $59.60 $60.44 $45.79 $52.85 $87.59
Brent Crude $64.87 $68.26 $50.50 $55.54 $90.24
Unleaded Gasoline $1.85 $1.78 $1.36 $1.61 $2.75
ULS Diesel (HO) $1.95 $2.02 $1.54 $1.59 $2.88
Low Sulfur Gas Oil $582.52 $617.88 $468.00 $450.92 $836.40
Live Cattle $1.14 $1.16 $1.08 $1.15 $1.34
Lean Hogs $0.70 $0.67 $0.63 $0.81 $0.96
Wheat (Chicago) $4.65 $5.04 $5.17 $6.23 $8.52
Wheat (KC HRW) $4.73 $4.86 $4.46 $5.74 $8.77
Corn $3.67 $3.79 $3.66 $4.98 $6.34
Soybeans $9.88 $8.89 $8.87 $12.52 $14.37
Soy Meal $342.12 $314.11 $300.17 $383.31 $390.89
Soybean Oil $0.33 $0.29 $0.29 $0.46 $0.66
Aluminum $1,787.04 $1,914.52 $1,677.27 $2,074.75 $2,876.54
Copper $6,784.63 $6,073.74 $5,635.66 $8,081.78 $9,531.59
Zinc $3,192.75 $2,630.52 $2,171.23 $2,695.03 $3,492.35
Nickel $12,799.85 $12,295.67 $14,058.92 $16,599.02 $23,378.21
Lead $2,455.75 $1,996.10 $1,876.85 $2,021.21 $2,278.28
Tin $20,585.83 $19,752.08 $16,278.69 $23,109.61 $38,016.00
Gold $1,300.76 $1,274.80 $1,582.14 $1,860.70 $1,829.97
Silver $16.71 $15.00 $17.18 $26.25 $23.21
Platinum $934.72 $831.83 $882.42 $1,064.51 $987.52
Sugar $0.14 $0.12 $0.12 $0.15 $0.19
Cotton $0.77 $0.76 $0.61 $0.77 $1.16
Coffee $1.25 $1.03 $1.07 $1.29 $2.18
Cocoa $2,238.50 $2,261.00 $2,438.92 $2,489.58 $2,516.75
21
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Once the above steps have been completed for each Designated Contract:
The percentages calculated in Step 8 are the Commodity Liquidity Percentages. The total of all the
Commodity Liquidity Percentages should be 100%.
On the following page, Table 5 outlines the sources from which the production data for each Commodity are
derived. Note that the sources from which the data are derived may use different terminology than that used in
this Methodology.
1. Calculate the average of the Settlement Prices of the Lead Future on the first Business Day of each
month for each year using the calendar months August to July; ie August 2018 to July 2019 in the
Production Averaging Period.19
2. Convert each average of the Settlement Prices into U.S. dollar terms.
3. Multiply the CPW for each year by such average price in U.S. dollar terms.
4. Take the average of the results of Step 3 for each Commodity.
Once the above steps have been completed for each Commodity:
The percentages calculated in Step 6 are the Commodity Production Percentages. The total of the Commodity
Production Percentages should be 100%. Note that the Derivative Commodities and any Designated Contracts
that are additional to the first Designated Contract for a particular Commodity will have Commodity
Production Percentages of zero at this point. Values from the Primary Commodities are allocated to the
Derivative Commodities and such additional Designated Contracts in a later step, as described in Section 2.5
below.
19. Note that due to greater lag time, the production data is multiplied by different Settlement Prices than those
Settlement Prices used to calculate CLPs. Price data corresponds to the year of observation for both production and
liquidity rankings.
20. Prior to 2010, aluminum, gold, cattle and hogs production data was normalized to conform new data sources to
23
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
data sources for prior years and to adjust for incompleteness of data. This normalization was discontinued in 2010 in
respect of the determination of the Commodity Index Percentages for 2011 and thereafter. Concurrently, the data
source for production of cattle meat and pig meat was switched from ICSY to FAOSTAT (see Table 5 above).
Table 6 below sets forth the production data for each Commodity used in calculating the
Commodity
Production Percentages.20 World production data is used with the following exception:
For natural gas, only North American production is used. Due to a lack of economically viable transportation
systems across continents, and between North America and Eurasia, natural gas is a uniquely regional
commodity.
24
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
As an example of the production data conversion process, Table 7 below lists the production data and
Commodity Production Weights for 2023 and the conversion factors used to convert the production data
into the Commodity Production Weights.
Appendix F contains a table of the Commodity Production Weights and average Settlement Prices used to
calculate the Commodity Production Percentages for 2023.
25
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
As discussed in Section 2.2(4) above, certain Index Commodities are Primary Commodities, whereas
others are Derivative Commodities within the same Commodity Sector. The production weightings for Derivative
Commodities are not calculated in the manner described in Section 2.4 above. Instead, the Commodity
Production Percentages within each Commodity Sector must be reassigned among the Primary Commodities
and its Derivative Commodities to eliminate the double-counting of production figures for the Primary
Commodity that would otherwise occur if no adjustment were made. The same process is applied when more
than one Designated Contract has been selected for a particular Commodity (an “Additional Designated
Contract”). To allocate Commodity Production Percentages to any such Derivative Commodity set forth in
Section 2.2(4) or Additional Designated Contract, the following steps are taken:
1. Take the sum of the Commodity Liquidity Percentages for all the Primary Commodities, Additional
Designated Contracts and Derivative Commodities in each Commodity Sector.
2. Divide the Commodity Liquidity Percentage for each Primary Commodity, Additional Designated
Contract and Derivative Commodity in each Commodity Sector by the sum calculated in step 1 above for
that Commodity Sector. The result is the “Commodity Sector Allocation Percentage,” or “CSAP,” for that
Index Commodity. The Commodity Sector Allocation Percentages should sum to 100%.
3. Set the new Commodity Production Percentage for each Primary Commodity, Additional Designated
Contract and Derivative Commodity within that Commodity Sector to equal the Commodity Production
Percentage for the Primary Commodity multiplied by the individual Commodity Sector Allocation
Percentages. For example:
Once the Primary Commodity’s Commodity Production Percentage has been reallocated to that Primary
Commodity, Additional Designated Contracts and Derivative Commodities, all the Commodity Production
Percentages should continue to sum to 100%.
WTI Crude Oil CPP = Crude Oil CPP x WTI Crude Oil CSAP
Brent Crude Oil CPP = Crude Oil CPP x Brent Crude Oil CSAP
Heating Oil CPP = Crude Oil CPP x ULS Diesel CSAP
RBOB Gas CPP = Crude Oil CPP x RBOB Gas CSAP
Low Sulphur Gas Oil = Crude Oil CPP x Low Sulphur Gas Oil CSAP
26
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
BISL calculates the Commodity Index Percentages for each year in the third or fourth quarter of the year
immediately prior to the year the relevant Commodity Index Percentages are effective and publishes the
results as promptly as practicable following the calculation. These new Commodity Index Percentages are
implemented in January of the effective year. Early publication allows users of the Index ample time to make
any necessary adjustments. Continuity of the Commodity Index Percentages is one goal in the design of
BCOM.
The Commodity Index Percentage for each Designated Contract included in the Index is calculated as follows:
For each Designated Contract, calculate the sum of (a) 2/3 multiplied by the Commodity Liquidity Percentage
for that Designated Contract plus (b) 1/3 multiplied by the Commodity Production Percentage for that
Designated Contract. This sum is the “Interim Commodity Index Percentage,” or “ICIP.” The sum of the ICIPs
should be 100%.
1. Once all the ICIPs are calculated, set any ICIP that fails the test to zero. The related Commodities
are not included in the Index for the related year, and none of the Index calculation procedures that
follow are performed with respect to these Commodities. The remaining Designated Contracts are
the Index Designated Contracts.
2. Calculate the sum of the ICIPs discarded in procedure 1 of this step B. Allocate this sum equally among
the Commodity Sectors. For any Commodity Sector that has more than one contract, the allocation will
be equally split among these contracts (Primary Commodities, Derivative Commodities and
Commodities with Multiple Designated Contracts receive equal split). The sum of the ICIPs should
continue to be 100%.
21. To gain inclusion into the BCOM in 2023, a commodity’s ICIP must be above the 0.4% threshold for two
consecutive years; meanwhile, BCOM constituents with weights falling below the 0.4% threshold for two
consecutive years are subsequently excluded from the index. It is anticipated that BISL may, from time to time,
exercise discretion in setting the threshold for this rule in furtherance of the objectives underlying BCOM. In
particular, when considering marginal commodities not currently included in BCOM for potential future inclusion,
27
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
BISL has the discretion to raise or lower the minimum-inclusion threshold from 0.4% up to a maximum of 3% from
year to year.
Step C – Reducing Any Commodity Sector over 25% Down to 25%
Take the sum of the ICIPs for each Commodity Sector. If the ICIPs for any Commodity Sector sum to
greater than 25%:
1. Subtract 25% from each Commodity Sector sum that exceeds 25%.
2. Allocate the total difference equally among the other Index Commodities not affected by this rule, while
treating sectors as one asset when distributing the excess. For any Index Commodity that has more than
one Designated Contract, the allocation for this Index Commodity will be equally split among its
Designated Contracts. Do not allocate to any Commodity that was eliminated by the minimum threshold
rule (step B of this Section 2.6).
3. Allocate 25% to the Commodity Sectors that exceeded 25% in proportion to the original distribution within
this Commodity Sector (i.e., the new ICIP = 25% x original ICIP/sum of Commodity Sector original ICIPs).
Take the sum of the ICIPs for each Commodity Group. If any Commodity Group’s ICIP sums to greater than
33%:
28
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Step F – Setting Gold and Silver Weights to Equal Their Commodity Liquidity Percentages
As discussed in Section 1.2(1) above, reliance on production data for gold, and similarly for silver, understates
the relative economic significance of these Commodities. Accordingly, the Commodity Index Percentages
for gold and silver are adjusted to reflect only the Commodity Liquidity Percentages. The adjustment is made
as follows:
1. Take the difference between the ICIPs for gold and silver and their respective Commodity Liquidity
Percentages. Sum these differences.
2. Set the gold and silver ICIPs to equal their respective Commodity Liquidity Percentages (the ICIP
cannot exceed the 15% Commodity limit or cause the Commodity Sector to exceed 25%).
3. Change the ICIPs of the remaining Designated Contracts by allocating the sum derived in procedure 1
of this Step F equally among them, while treating Sectors as one asset when distributing the excess. For
any Commodity Sector that has more than one underlying contract or Commodities with Multiple
Designated Contracts, the allocation will be equally split among their underlying contracts. Do not
change any ICIPs for Index Commodities eliminated under the minimum threshold rule (Step B of this
Section 2.6) or reduced by the 25% Commodity Sector, 15% Commodity or 33% Commodity Group
limits.
1. Take the difference between each of these Index Commodities’ ICIPs and 2%. Sum all these
differences.
2. Decrease the ICIPs of the remaining Designated Contracts by allocating the sum derived in procedure 1
of this Step G, so that each Designated Contract receives an equal allocation. Do not decrease any ICIPs
for Index Commodities eliminated under the minimum threshold rule (Step B of this Section 2.6) or
reduced by the 25% Commodity Sector, 15% Commodity or 33% Commodity Group maximum limits.
3. Set the ICIPs that were under 2% to 2%.
It is possible that this Step G reduces the ICIPs for some Index Commodities to under 2%. If this occurs,
repeat Step G, but do not reduce those ICIPs that were adjusted up to 2% in the prior iteration. If necessary,
continue repeating Step G until no ICIP is under 2%.
22. Note that Brent and WTI are considered together as one Commodity for purposes of applying the 15% limit. Chicago
29
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Wheat and KC HRW Wheat are also considered together for the same purposes.
Please note that Step G often does not have an effect on ICIPs, as individual Commodities with small ICIPs may have had their ICIPs
increased to above 2% by previous steps. The minimum allocation of 2% imposed by Step G may be reduced due to liquidity concerns
by Step H below.
1. Divide (x) - the ICIP resulting from Step G for each Designated Contract by (y) the associated
Commodity Liquidity Percentage determined for that Index Commodity.
2. If this result (x/y) is greater than 3.5, then the related ICIP will be reduced such that it will equal 3.5
times the relevant Commodity Liquidity Percentage.
3. The amount of weight reduction for all affected Designated Contracts is aggregated, and the value of
this amount is allocated evenly to the ICIPs of the Designated Contracts with such ratio below a number,
currently set at 2.0, which is determined from time to time by BISL (excluding any Designated Contract
that, were the ICIP so increased, would cause any of the maximum weight rules in Steps C, D or E to be
exceeded) by adding such aggregate amount equally to the relevant ICIPs.
The percentages calculated in the final Step H, rounded to 8 decimal places, are the CIPs, which should
sum to 100%.
The effect of the above steps is to distribute the weights of the Index into a broader allocation among
Commodity Groups while still maintaining a strong relationship to the original Commodity Liquidity
Percentages and Commodity Production Percentages. The specific calculations for 2019 are set forth in
Appendix D.
To determine the respective CIMs, first calculate Initial Commodity Index Multipliers (“ICIMs”) as follows:
each CIP will be multiplied by 1,000 and then divided by the Settlement Price (converted into U.S. dollars
for the Lead Future) for the applicable Designated Contract on the CIM Determination Date. This Settlement
Price is referred to in the calculations below as “FPD_S.”
The ICIMs are then adjusted by the previous year’s WAV1 value (divided by 1,000) to maintain WAV continuity
from one year to the next. A summary of the Commodity Index Multiplier calculations is as follows:
30
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
23. See Section 3.3 for the Settlement Prices to be used if a Market Disruption Event has occurred for any Designated
Contract used in the calculation of the CIMs on the CIM Determination Date.
31
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
“CIM_last_year” is defined as the CIM that was in effect for the year immediately prior to the CIM
Determination Date.
“CIM_new_year” is defined as the new CIM calculated for the year in which the CIM Determination Date
falls.
1. Calculate the WAV1 settlement using CIM_last_year and FPD_S for each Designated Contract.
2. The Adjustment Factor equals this WAV1 divided by 1,000.
CIM_new_year is then determined by multiplying the ICIM for each Designated Contract by the Adjustment
Factor derived in Step B of this Section 2.7.24 Set the new CIM to equal the CIM_new_year. Round the
CIMs to 8 decimal places.
The CIM_last_year continues to be used for the calculation of WAV1 until the end of the roll period falling in
the month of January.
After the CIMs are calculated on the CIM Determination Date in a given year, they remain fixed throughout
such year. As a result, the observed price percentage of each Designated Contract will float throughout the
year until the CIMs are reset the following year based on new CIPs.
Prior to a CIM Determination Date, users of the Index will be able to estimate the CIMs for the year in which
such CIM Determination Date will fall by using then-available prices for the Designated Contracts that will
be the Lead Futures for the month of January in which such CIM Determination Date will fall.
24. The effect of the adjustment to the ICIMs is to set the WAV1 value using the CIM_last_year equal to the WAV1
using the CIM_new_year as of the CIM Determination Date. The CIM_new_year, redesignated the CIM, is then used
to calculate the WAV2 value.
32
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Table 8 below illustrates the calculations of the Commodity Index Percentages and Commodity Index
Multipliers for 2022 (official CIP and CIM calculations use additional decimal precision than provided in Table
8).
33
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
25. Table 9 includes Platinum, Frozen Concentrated Orange Juice (FCOJ), Cocoa, Palladium, EU Carbon Allowances and Feeder Cattle, which
are currently not part of the Index, but are used in calculating single-commodity Subindices as described in Appendix H.
34
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Once the applicable futures month is determined, the price for each Designated Contract used to calculate
WAV1 and WAV2 for each Business Day is obtained and converted into U.S. dollars. Some quote systems
and data sources may report contract prices with decimals omitted or in a format that is not reflective of the
actual U.S. dollar value. It is important to correctly convert each reported price into U.S. dollars per unit of
the underlying contract. Table 10 below lists the reported Settlement Prices for the Lead Futures converted
into U.S. dollars per unit for the 2023 CIM Determination Date.
Table 10: 2023 CIM Determination Date Futures Settlement Prices Converted into U.S. Dollars
Contract
Price on January 6th Price in
Commodity Quotation Price Conversion
2023 dollars
Terms
Natural Gas $/mmbtu 3.392 1 3.392
WTI Crude Oil $/bbl 74.04 1 74.04
Brent Crude Oil $/bbl 78.57 1 78.57
Unleaded Gas ¢/100 gallon 225.15 100 2.2515
ULS Diesel ¢/100 gallon 292.14 100 2.9214
Low Sulphur Gas Oil $/mertic ton 836.25 1 836.25
Live Cattle ¢/lb 156.775 100 1.56775
Lean Hogs ¢/lb 80.275 100 0.80275
Wheat (Chicago) ¢/bu 743.5 100 7.435
Wheat (KC HRW) ¢/bu 832 100 8.32
Corn ¢/bu 654 100 6.54
Soybeans ¢/bu 1492.5 100 14.925
Soybean Meal $/short ton 477.6 1 477.6
Soybean Oil ¢/lb 63.17 100 0.6317
Aluminum $/mtons 2287.5 1 2287.5
Copper ¢/lb 391.1 100 3.911
Zinc $/mertic ton 3029 1 3029
Nickel $/metric ton 28044 1 28044
Lead $/mertic ton 2206.51 1 2206.51
Gold $/troy Oz 1869.7 1 1869.7
Silver $/troy Oz 23.982 1 23.982
Sugar ¢/lb 18.96 100 0.1896
Cotton ¢/lb 85.68 100 0.8568
Coffee ¢/lb 158.3 100 1.583
Once Settlement Prices are obtained for the Lead Future and Next Future for each Index Commodity, the
WAVs are calculated in respect of each Business Day as follows: WAV1 is calculated by multiplying each
Commodity Index Multiplier by the Settlement Price for the respective Lead Future for that day and
summing the results. WAV2 is calculated by multiplying each Commodity Index Multiplier by the Settlement
Price for the respective Next Future for that day and summing the results. The WAVs are rounded to 8
decimal places.
35
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
BISL calculates BCOM (which is calculated on an “excess return” basis), a “total return” index based on
BCOM (“BCOMTR”) and the non-U.S. dollar denominated versions of BCOM and BCOMTR identified in
Appendix I.
In addition, BISL publishes a “spot price” version of BCOM (“BCOMSP”). BCOMSP provides a general
estimate of the trend in commodity prices, without the positive or negative return effects caused by rolling
futures or the costs involved in actually holding physical commodities. BCOMSP is not “investable”, in the
sense that returns of BCOMSP cannot be actually replicated in the underlying futures markets. See
Appendix E for calculation details for BCOMSP.
BISL also calculates Subindices and forward month versions of the Index and selected Subindices on an
excess return and total return basis. Additional information in respect of these Subindices and forward month
versions of the Indices is set forth in Appendices H and J, respectively.
The BCOM Settlement Price is calculated on each Business Day using the applicable Settlement Prices for
WAV1 and WAV2 on the current Business Day and the prior Business Day. The suffix “_PS” designates the
Settlement Price for the previous Business Day, and the suffix “_S” designates the Settlement Price for the
current Business Day. “BCOM_S” indicates the value of BCOM on the current Business Day. The manner in
which BCOM is calculated on a given Business Day depends on which of three periods during the month in
which this day falls: the period prior to the Roll Period, the Roll Period, or the period following the Roll
Period. The “Roll Period” is used in this Methodology to refer to the sixth through tenth Business Days of the
month, during which time the value of BCOM is gradually shifted from the utilization of WAV1 for Index
calculation to the utilization of WAV2, at the rate of 20% per Business Day.
On each day of the Roll Period, the dependence of BCOM is shifted, at the rate of 20% per day, from WAV1
to WAV2 as follows:
26
On the first Business Day of the month, WAV1 is comprised of the same group of Designated Contracts that
comprised the WAV2 of the prior month. Therefore, when calculating the change in the WAV1, it is divided by the
WAV2 from the last Business Day of the prior month. This does not represent a “roll”, but rather a redesignation of the
WAV2 to WAV1.
36
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
See Appendix G for special calculation procedures to be used if a Market Disruption Event occurs.
The BCOM Total Return Index reflects the returns on a fully collateralized investment in BCOM. This combines
the returns of BCOM with the returns on cash collateral invested in Treasury Bills. These returns are calculated
by using the most recent weekly auction high rate for 13 week (3 Month) U.S. Treasury Bills, as reported on
the website http://www.treasurydirect.gov/ published by the Bureau of the Public Debt of the U.S. Treasury,
or any successor source, which is generally published once per week on Monday. The auction results
are also available on the Bloomberg Terminal using the ticker: USB3MTA Index. To calculate BCOMTR:
37
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Definitions:
Calculation Date = date for which calculation is made.
BCOM t = BCOM value on the Calculation Date.
BCOM t - 1 = BCOM value on the Business Day prior to the Calculation Date.
BCOMTR t = BCOMTR value on the Calculation Date.
BCOMTR t - 1 = BCOMTR value on the Business Day prior to the Calculation Date.
3MR t = With respect to a Business Day d, the most recent weekly auction High
Rate for 13 week (3 Month) U.S. Treasury Bills, as reported on the website
http://www.treasurydirect.gov/instit/annceresult/annceresult.htm published
by the Bureau of the Public Debt of the U.S. Treasury, or any successor
page, on such Business Day d, provided, that if such auction High Rate is
published on such Business Day d, TBill(d-1) shall be the rate published for
the most recent previous auction.
This rate is then used for every day until the next rate is released; provided,
however, that if a new rate is scheduled to be released on a given day, the
prior rate is used for purposes of calculations in respect of such release
date. The new rate is generally obtained on Monday and, accordingly, is
first used in respect of Tuesday’s settlement calculations. In the event of a
holiday or other disruption in the Treasury auction schedule, the last
available rate is used until the next rate becomes available. Note that the
prior day's rate is used in calculating the value of TBD, to reflect the
realization of an investment at that rate on day “t”.
TBD = Treasury Bill Daily Return.
DAYS = Number of calendar days from and including the prior Calculation Date to
but excluding the current Calculation Date.
Suffix _S = Denotes the Settlement Price for the relevant index for the day indicated.
38
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
BCOM is a futures-based index. From time to time, disruptions can occur in trading futures contracts on
various commodity exchanges. The following rules will govern the means by which BCOM accommodates
potential market disruptions:
“Market Disruption Event” means (a) the termination or suspension of, or material limitation or disruption in,
the trading of any Lead Future or Next Future used in the calculation of the Index on that day, (b) the Settle-
ment Price of any such contract reflects the maximum permitted price change from the previous day’s
Settlement Price, (c) the failure of an exchange to publish official Settlement Prices for any such contract, or
(d) with respect to any such contract that trades on the LME, a Business Day on which the LME is not open
for trading. The existence of a Market Disruption Event shall be determined by BISL.
If a Market Disruption Event occurs during the “Hedge Roll Period” (defined herein as the fifth through the
ninth Business Days of each month) in any month other than January affecting any Index Commodity, then
the daily roll of the relevant Designated Contract for such Index Commodity will be postponed until the next
available Business Day on which a Market Disruption Event does not occur, and the calculation of BCOM
will be adjusted to reflect this, as set forth in Appendix G. The Hedge Roll Period will be extended only if a
Market Disruption Event affects an Index Commodity on the scheduled final Business Day comprising the
Hedge Roll Period.
Note that a Market Disruption Event for any individual Index Commodity in BCOM during the Hedge Roll
Period will not postpone the roll for any other Index Commodity for which a Market Disruption Event has not
occurred.
If a Market Disruption Event occurs during the “Hedge Roll Period” scheduled for January of each year
affecting any Index Commodity, then the rolling or rebalancing of the relevant Designated Contract will
occur in all cases over five Business Days on which no Market Disruption Event exists at a rate of 20% per
day, using the methodology set forth in Appendix G for the calculation of BCOM for every Business Day
following a Market Disruption Event until the extended Hedge Roll Period is complete. The Hedge Roll
Period in January, and the resulting rebalancing that is scheduled to occur, will be extended in all cases
until the affected Designated Contract finishes rolling over five Business Days not affected by a Market
Disruption Event. This means that the amounts of a particular Designated Contract rolled or rebalanced in
January will always be distributed over five Business Days and will not, for example, “double up” on the
Business Day following a Market Disruption Event.
Table 11 below shows an example of how the Applied Roll Percentage “ARP” that would be used in
Appendix G, for two Index Commodities “1” and “2”, if a Market Disruption Event were to affect the Designated
Contract for Index Commodity “2” on Business Day 7. During the months of February through and including
December, the calculation methodology in Appendix G would be used only on Business Day
8. In January, however, the calculation methodology in Appendix G would be used on Business Days 8, 9
and 10, until Index Commodity “2” had finished rolling.
39
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
If a Market Disruption Event occurs on a CIM Determination Date in respect of the applicable futures contract
for an Index Commodity that is caused by a "limit event" (as defined by the applicable futures exchange), BISL
will use the current day's settlement price of such futures contract to determine the new Commodity Index
Multipliers (CIM) with respect to such Index Commodity. If a Market Disruption Event occurs due to an
exchange's failure to produce a settlement price of such futures contract, BISL will use the first prior Business
Day's settlement price on which a Market Disruption Event had not occurred with respect to such Index
Commodity. .
40
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Chapter 4. APPENDICES
“Adjustment Factor” or “AF” means the factor by which the Commodity Index Multipliers are adjusted to
provide continuity in WAV values from one year to the next. The Adjustment Factor is computed in
accordance with Section 2.7 of the Methodology.
“BCOM Total Return Index” or “Bloomberg Commodity Index Total Return” or “BCOMTR” means the Index
calculated on a total return basis as described in Section 3.2 of the Methodology.
“Benchmark Oversight Committee (BOC)” means the oversight committee created to provide oversight
and accountability over all aspects of the Index determination process.
“BFIX” or “Bloomberg FX Fixings” mean Bloomberg Generic Price (BGN) for currencies used in the index.
This FX source is snapped at 30 minute intervals throughout the day and the London 16:00 fixings are used in
calculation of the Bloomberg Commodity Indices. If an individual London 16:00 fixing is not available, BISL
will use expert judgment in determining the FX rates for the current business day.
“Bloomberg Commodity Index 1 Month Forward” or “BCOMF1” means a one-month forward version of
BCOM calculated as described in Appendix J of the Methodology.
“Bloomberg Commodity Index 2 Month Forward” or “BCOMF2” means a two-month forward version of
BCOM calculated as described in Appendix J of the Methodology.
“Bloomberg Commodity Index 3 Month Forward” or “BCOMF3” means three-month forward versions of
BCOM and Subindices calculated as described in Appendix J of the Methodology.
“Bloomberg Commodity Index Total Return 1 Month Forward” or “BCOMF1T” means a one month forward
version of BCOMTR calculated as described in Appendix J of the Methodology.
“Bloomberg Commodity Index Total Return 2 Month Forward” or “BCOMF2T” means a two month forward
version of BCOMTR calculated as described in Appendix J of the Methodology.
“Bloomberg Commodity Index Total Return 3 Month Forward” or “BCOMF3T” means a three month forward
version of BCOMTR calculated as described in Appendix J of the Methodology.
“Business Day” means any day on which the sum of the CIPs for those Index Commodities that are open for
trading is greater than 50%. For purposes of this definition, the CIPs used during any calendar year are
those calculated in the preceding year and applied on the CIM Determination Date for that year; provided,
however, that on any day during such calendar year falling prior to or on the CIM Determination Date, the
preceding year’s CIPs will be used for purposes of determining the existence of a Business Day.
41
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
“Calculation Period” means, for each year for which the Index is calculated, the sixth month of the year
preceding such year of calculation.
“CBOT” means the Chicago Board of Trade, a division of the CME Group.
“CIM Determination Date” means the date from which the values used in calculating the Commodity Index
Multipliers will be determined for each year that the Index is calculated. This will be the fourth Business Day
of that year, or as otherwise determined in accordance with Section 3.3 of the Methodology.
“Commodities” means the commodities listed in Section 2.2 of the Methodology as eligible for inclusion in
the Index.
“Commodity Group” means the group of Commodities to which each Commodity is assigned for the
purpose of applying the diversification rules discussed in the Methodology. Section 2.2 of the Methodology
lists the Commodity Groups and their corresponding Commodities.
“Commodity Index Multiplier” or “CIM” is a factor that is computed annually on the CIM Determination Date
for each Index Commodity for purposes of implementing the annual re-weighting of the Index. It is
calculated in accordance with Section 2.7 of the Methodology.
“Commodity Index Percentage” or “CIP” is derived by summing (i) 2/3 of the Commodity Liquidity
Percentage for each Index Commodity and (ii) 1/3 of the Commodity Production Percentage for that Index
Commodity, to determine the percentage weighting of each Index Commodity. The Commodity Index
Percentages are adjusted in accordance with Section 2.6 of the Methodology.
“Commodity Liquidity Percentage” or “CLP” is the liquidity weighting assigned to each Index Commodity that
is combined with the production weighting, or Commodity Production Percentage, assigned to each Index
Commodity to derive the Commodity Index Percentage for that Index Commodity. The Commodity Liquidity
Percentages are calculated in accordance with Section 2.3 of the Methodology.
“Commodity Pr o du ct ion Percentage” or “CPP” is the production weighting assigned to each Index
Commodity that is combined with the liquidity weighting, or the Commodity Liquidation Weighing, assigned
to each Index Commodity to derive the Commodity Index Percentage for that Index Commodity. The
Commodity Production Percentages are calculated in accordance with Section 2.4 of the Methodology.
“Commodity Production Weight” or “CPW” as set forth in Section 2.4 is the production data, adjusted to the
same unit terms as the Designated Contract for that Commodity. This number is then divided by 1,000,000.
“Commodity Sector” refers to a Primary Commodity along with its Derivative Commodities. Commodity
Sectors are described in Section 2.2 of the Methodology.
“Commodity Sector Allocation Percentage” or “CSAP” means, for each Index Commodity in a given
Commodity Sector, (i) the Commodity Liquidity Percentage for that Index Commodity divided by (ii) the sum
of the Commodity Liquidity Percentages for all Index Commodities in that Commodity Sector. The
Commodity Sector Allocation Percentage is calculated as described in Section 2.5 of the Methodology.
42
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
“Derivative Commodity” means an Index Commodity that is principally produced or derived from another
Index Commodity.
“Designated Contract” means, with respect to a Commodity, the futures contract selected as the reference
contract from which price and trading volume data for the Commodity will be obtained to calculate the Index.
The Designated Contracts, and the futures exchanges on which they trade, are identified in Section 2.2 of the
Methodology.
“Hedge Roll Period” means the period of five Business Days, beginning with the fifth Business Day through
and including the ninth Business Day of each month, subject to adjustment as described in Section 3.3.
“Index Commodity” means a Commodity included in the Index. The Commodities currently included in the
Index are listed in Section 2.2 of the Methodology.
“Initial Commodity Index Multiplier” or “ICIM” means for each Index Commodity, the initial Commodity Index
Multiplier, which is then adjusted by the Adjustment Factor to determine the Commodity Index Multiplier.
The Initial Commodity Index Multipliers are calculated in accordance with Section 2.7 of the Methodology.
“Interim Commodity Index Percentage” or “ICIP” means the initial percentage weighting assigned to each
Commodity, which, when adjusted to reduce, increase, or eliminate a percentage weighting that would
otherwise have either a disproportionate or negligible impact on the Index, constitutes the Commodity Index
Percentage assigned to each Index Commodity. The Interim Commodity Index Percentages are calculated
in accordance with Section 2.6 of the Methodology.
“Index Levels” means, in respect of the Index and an index Business Day, the value of the Index on such index
Business Day, calculated in accordance with the methodology described herein.
“Lead Future” means, for each Index Commodity, the futures contract month designated in Table 9 of the
Methodology under the current month for each Designated Contract.
“Liquidity Averaging Period” means the five years up to and including the year prior to the applicable
Calculation Period. For example, the Calculation Period for the determination of the CIPs in respect of the
calculation of the Index for 2023 (i.e., 2022), the applicable Liquidity Averaging Period is the years 2017 to
2021, inclusive.
“Next Future” means, for each Commodity, the futures contract month designated in Table 9 of the
Methodology, set forth in the column next to the current month. In December, the first column, January,
43
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
“Primary Commodity” means an Index Commodity from which another Index Commodity is principally
produced or derived.
“Production Averaging Period” means the most recent five-year period for which world production data for
all Index Commodities are available as of the applicable Calculation Period. For example, the Calculation
Period for the determination of the CIPs for the calculation of the Index for 2023 (i.e., 2022), the Production
Averaging Period comprises the years 2015 to 2019, inclusive.
“Roll Period” means the period of five Business Days, beginning with and including the sixth Business Day
through and including the tenth Business Day of each month.
“Settlement Price” means, for each Designated Contract and a given day, the official settlement price for the
relevant contract month as published by the futures exchange on which the Index Commodity trades for
such day.
“WAV” means the weighted average values used in calculation of the Index, which can be in the form of
“WAV1” or “WAV2”.
“WAV1” means the weighted average value that is calculated by summing the product for each Index
Commodity of (i) the price for the applicable Lead Future in U.S. dollars and (ii) the applicable Commodity
Index Multiplier. WAV1 is calculated in accordance with Section 2.8 of the Methodology; additional
calculations are described in Appendix E to the Methodology.
“WAV2” means the weighted average value calculated by summing the product for each Index Commodity
of (i) the price for the applicable Next Future in U.S. dollars and (ii) the applicable Commodity Index
Multiplier. WAV2 is calculated in accordance with Section 2.8 of the Methodology; additional calculations
are described in Appendix E to the Methodology.
44
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Historical Data
All data used in the calculation of the CLPs, CPWs, CPPs and in any historical returns of BCOM (including
all related indices and Subindices) prior to the launch of BCOM on July 14, 1998, which are set forth herein
or in any other materials produced by UBS, Bloomberg or any of their respective affiliates, are historical
estimations using available data. While such data is believed to be accurate, none of UBS, Bloomberg or
any of their respective affiliates makes any representation as to its accuracy or completeness.
In general, where settlement prices for certain trading days were unavailable, interpolation was employed.
LME Third Wednesday settlement data from January 1991 through October 1993 was not available. As a
result, prices for Aluminum, Zinc, Nickel, Lead and Tin over this time period were estimated using
interpolation from available LME settlement price data. For the period covering January 1991 through
December 1992, cash and 3- m o n t h settlement data was used. For the period January 1993 through
October 1993, Cash, 1 month, 2-month, 3 month and 6 month data were used.
All historical index calculations prior to original Index launch on July 14, 1998, apply annually the Commodity
Index Percentages that were in effect upon launch of the Index. The 1998 Commodity Index Multipliers
were applied in 1998 and 1999, and the first actual reweighting of the Index took effect in January 2000.
45
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Conversion Factors
Table 12 illustrates the source of the data used to derive the Conversion Factors.
Table 12: Source of the data used to derive the Conversion Factors
Commodity Source Table Location
Basic Petroleum Data Gallon, Barrel, Pound and Ton
Book, Volume XXII, Equivalents for Converting Section XVI Table
Crude Oil
Number 1, February Measures of Crude Petroleum and 3
2006 Refined Petroleum Products
Agricultural Statistics
2009 United States
Wheat, Corn and
Department of Weights and Measures Page vii, viii
Soybeans
Agriculture, 2009
(ASUS)
Table 7-9 Cattle and calves:
Production, disposition, cash
receipts and gross income, United
Cattle ASUS VII-7, VII-40
States, (2000-2000) and 7-66 Red
Meat: Production, by class of
slaughter, United States 2000-2009
Statistical Yearbook Annex II A. Equivalents of Metric,
Gold 49th Issue, United British Imperial, and United States Page 847
Nations 2005 (SYUN) Units of Measure
Annex II A. Equivalents of Metric,
Silver SYUN British Imperial, and United States Page 847
Units of Measure
Annex II A. Equivalents of Metric,
Platinum SYUN British Imperial, and United States Page 847
Units of Measure
Sugar ASUS Weights and Measures Page vii
Cotton ASUS Weights and Measures Page vii
Coffee ASUS Weights and Measures Page vii
Standard Metric Practice Guide -- (A
American Society for
Natural Gas Guide to the Use of SI -- the Page 21
Testing and Materials
International System of Units, 1974)
46
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
47
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Step 1: Allocate Commodity Production Percentages for Derivative Commodities and Additional Designated
Contracts by utilizing the Commodity Liquidity Percentages as an allocation weighting. Multiply the Commodity
Production Percentage for the Primary Commodity by the percentage that its Commodity Liquidity Percentage
comprises of the total Commodity Liquidity Percentages for the Commodity Sector.
Commodity Liquidity
Commodity Allocation World Prod. Reallocate = CPP
%
Soybean Sector
Commodity
Commodity Allocation World Prod. Reallocate = CPP
Liquidity %
Soybeans 3.9483% 63.4558% 3.4065% 2.1616%
Soybean Meal 1.2922% 20.7671% 0.7074%
Soybean Oil 0.9817% 15.7771% 0.5375%
Total 6.2221% 3.4065%
Wheat Sector
Commodity
Commodity Allocation World Prod. Reallocate = CPP
Liquidity %
Wheat (Chicago) 1.2008% 70.5504% 3.8490% 2.7154%
Wheat (KC HRW) 0.5012% 29.4496% 1.1335%
Total 1.7020% 3.8490%
48
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Step 2: Combine the CLPs and CPPs using 2/3 and 1/3 weighting. The combined weighting is called the
Interim Commodity Index Percentage (ICIP).
Step 3: Eliminate any Commodities that have a combined ICIP of under 0.4%. The remaining
Commodities are the Index Commodities.
Take the sum of the total of all ICIPs that fall under the 0.4% threshold. Allocate this sum to all Index
Commodities that are at or above this 0.4% threshold. For any Commodity Sector that has more than one
contract, the allocation will be equally split among these contracts (primary commodities, derivative
commodities, and commodities with multiple designated contracts, receive equal split). Set the ICIP of the
Commodities that fall under 0.4% to zero. The sum of all the ICIPs should be 100%. The following table
illustrates this step:
49
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Table 16: Example of Eliminating Commodities under 0.4% and Reallocating ICIPs
Commodity Combined 0.4% Cutoff Reallocated ICIP
Natural Gas 4.0567% 0.0000% 4.0993%
WTI Crude Oil 21.1804% 0.0000% 21.1889%
Brent Crude Oil 19.6991% 0.0000% 19.7076%
RBOB Gasoline 4.7921% 0.0000% 4.8006%
ULS Diesel 4.5727% 0.0000% 4.5812%
Low Sulfur Gas Oil 5.9562% 0.0000% 5.9647%
Live Cattle 3.1790% 0.0000% 3.2216%
Lean Hogs 2.0212% 0.0000% 2.0639%
Wheat (Chicago) 1.7057% 0.0000% 1.7270%
Wheat (KC HRW) 0.7120% 0.0000% 0.7333%
Corn 3.3368% 0.0000% 3.3794%
Soybeans 3.3527% 0.0000% 3.3669%
Soybean Oil 0.8336% 0.0000% 0.8478%
Soybean Meal 1.0972% 0.0000% 1.1114%
Aluminum 1.9092% 0.0000% 1.9518%
Copper 3.0524% 0.0000% 3.0950%
Zinc 0.8790% 0.0000% 0.9216%
Nickel 0.7655% 0.0000% 0.8081%
Lead 0.4009% 0.0000% 0.4435%
Tin 0.1046% 0.1046% 0.0000%
Gold 11.2292% 0.0000% 11.2718%
Silver 2.0630% 0.0000% 2.1056%
Platinum 0.2590% 0.2590% 0.0000%
Sugar 1.0299% 0.0000% 1.0725%
Cotton 0.6620% 0.0000% 0.7046%
Coffee 0.7894% 0.0000% 0.8320%
Cocoa 0.3607% 0.3607% 0.0000%
Total 0.7243% 100.0000%
Step 4: Reduce any Commodity Sector that has a total ICIP greater than 25% down to 25%. Take the
difference between the Commodity Sector total and 25%, and equally allocate this difference among the
remaining ICIPs, but not to the ICIPs reduced to zero in the preceding step. For any Commodity Sector
that has more than one contract, the allocation will be equally split among these contracts (primary
commodities, derivative commodities, and commodities with multiple designated contracts, receive equal
split).
Once this reallocation is done, allocate 25% back to this Commodity Sector, in proportion to the original
distribution of ICIPs within this Commodity Sector. This proportion weighting is calculated by summing the
original ICIPs within this Commodity Sector, then dividing each ICIP within this Commodity Sector by that
sum. Multiply 25% by this quotient, which then equals the ICIP for each Index Commodity in the Commodity
Sector. The following table illustrates this step:
50
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Table 17: Example of Reducing Sectors over 25% and Reallocating ICIPs
Step 5: The next step is to reduce any ICIP or ICIPs for a single Commodity over 15% down to 15%, and
allocate the difference equally to the other Designated Contracts, except for those eliminated under the
0.4% threshold rule. For any Commodity Sector that has more than one contract, the allocation will be
equally split among these contracts (primary commodities, derivative commodities, and commodities with
multiple designated contracts, receive equal split).
Difference
Commodity ICIP Sector Totals Allocation ICIP
with 25%
Natural Gas 4.0993% 6.0519%
WTI Crude Oil 21.1889% 56.2430% 31.2430% 9.4185% 9.4185%
Brent Crude Oil 19.7076% 8.7600% 8.7600%
RBOB Gasoline 4.8006% 2.1339% 2.1339%
Heating Oil 4.5812% 2.0363% 2.0363%
Low Sulfur Gas Oil 5.9647% 2.6513% 2.6513%
Live Cattle 3.2216% 5.1743%
Lean Hogs 2.0639% 4.0165%
Wheat (Chicago) 1.7270% 2.4603% 2.7033%
Wheat (KC HRW) 0.7333% 1.7096%
Corn 3.3794% 5.3321%
Soybeans 3.3669% 5.3262% 4.0178%
Soybean Oil 0.8478% 1.4987%
Soybean Meal 1.1114% 1.7623%
Aluminum 1.9518% 3.9045%
Copper 3.0950% 5.0477%
Zinc 0.9216% 2.8743%
Nickel 0.8081% 2.7607%
Lead 0.4435% 2.3962%
Tin 0.0000% 0.0000%
Gold 11.2718% 13.2245%
Silver 2.1056% 4.0583%
Platinum 0.0000% 0.0000%
Sugar 1.0725% 3.0252%
Cotton 0.7046% 2.6572%
Coffee 0.8320% 2.7847%
Cocoa 0.0000% 0.0000%
Total 31.2430% 100.0000%
51
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Table 18: Example of Reducing Single Commodities over 15% and Reallocating ICIPs
Commodity ICIP > 15%? New ICIP
Natural Gas 6.0519% 6.2389%
WTI Crude Oil 9.4185% 3.1785% 7.7717%
Brent Crude Oil 8.7600% 7.2283%
RBOB Gasoline 2.1339% 2.1962%
Heating Oil 2.0363% 2.0987%
Low Sulfur Gas Oil 2.6513% 2.7136%
Live Cattle 5.1743% 5.3612%
Lean Hogs 4.0165% 4.2035%
Wheat (Chicago) 2.7033% 2.7968%
Wheat (KC HRW) 1.7096% 1.8031%
Corn 5.3321% 5.5191%
Soybeans 4.0178% 4.0802%
Soybean Oil 1.4987% 1.5610%
Soybean Meal 1.7623% 1.8247%
Aluminum 3.9045% 4.0914%
Copper 5.0477% 5.2347%
Zinc 2.8743% 3.0613%
Nickel 2.7607% 2.9477%
Lead 2.3962% 2.5832%
Tin 0.0000% 0.0000%
Gold 13.2245% 13.4114%
Silver 4.0583% 4.2453%
Platinum 0.0000% 0.0000%
Sugar 3.0252% 3.2121%
Cotton 2.6572% 2.8442%
Coffee 2.7847% 2.9716%
Cocoa 0.0000% 0.0000%
Total 3.1785% 100.0000%
Step 6: The next step is to reduce any Commodity Group ICIP sum over 33% down to 33%. Once this
reallocation is done, allocate 33% back to this Commodity Group, in proportion to the previous distribution
of ICIPs within this Commodity Group. Then reallocate the difference of this group above 33% to the other
commodities, except for those which were eliminated by the 0.4% threshold rule. For any Commodity Sector
that has more than one contract, the allocation will be equally split among these contracts (primary
commodities, derivative commodities, and commodities with multiple designated contracts, receive equal
split).
52
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Table 19: Example of Reducing Commodity Groups over 33% and Reallocating ICIPs
Commodity ICIP > 33%? Allocation New ICIP
Natural Gas 6.2389% 28.2474% 0.0000% 6.2389%
WTI Crude Oil 7.7717% 0.0000% 7.7717%
Brent Crude Oil 7.2283% 0.0000% 7.2283%
RBOB Gasoline 2.1962% 0.0000% 2.1962%
Heating Oil 2.0987% 0.0000% 2.0987%
Low Sulfur Gas Oil 2.7136% 0.0000% 2.7136%
Live Cattle 5.3612% 9.5647% 0.0000% 5.3612%
Lean Hogs 4.2035% 0.0000% 4.2035%
Wheat (Chicago) 2.7968% 17.5848% 0.0000% 2.7968%
Wheat (KC HRW) 1.8031% 0.0000% 1.8031%
Corn 5.5191% 0.0000% 5.5191%
Soybeans 4.0802% 0.0000% 4.0802%
Soybean Oil 1.5610% 0.0000% 1.5610%
Soybean Meal 1.8247% 0.0000% 1.8247%
Aluminum 4.0914% 17.9183% 0.0000% 4.0914%
Copper 5.2347% 0.0000% 5.2347%
Zinc 3.0613% 0.0000% 3.0613%
Nickel 2.9477% 0.0000% 2.9477%
Lead 2.5832% 0.0000% 2.5832%
Tin 0.0000% 0.0000% 0.0000%
Gold 13.4114% 17.6567% 0.0000% 13.4114%
Silver 4.2453% 0.0000% 4.2453%
Platinum 0.0000% 0.0000% 0.0000%
Sugar 3.2121% 9.0280% 0.0000% 3.2121%
Cotton 2.8442% 0.0000% 2.8442%
Coffee 2.9716% 0.0000% 2.9716%
Cocoa 0.0000% 0.0000% 0.0000%
Total 100.0000% 100.0000%
Step 7: Set the ICIPs for gold and silver to equal their Commodity Liquidity Percentages. Take the
difference of the ICIP and the CLP for gold and silver and take the sum of these differences. Equally
allocate this difference by adjusting all the other ICIPs except for those affected by the 0.4% cutoff, the 25%
sector, the 15% commodity, or 33% group maximums. For any Commodity Sector that has more than one
contract, the allocation will be equally split among these contracts (primary commodities, derivative
commodities, and commodities with multiple designated contracts, receive equal split).
53
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Step 8: The next step is to increase any ICIP that falls below the 2% minimum up to 2%. Calculate the
difference between each of these Commodities' ICIPs and 2%. Decrease the ICIPs of the remaining Index
Commodities by allocating the sum of all these differences so that each such Index Commodity receives an
equal allocation. Do not reduce those ICIPs affected by the 25%, 33%, 15%, 0.5%, gold and silver, or 2%
rules. Repeat this step if necessary, so that no ICIP falls below 2%.
Step 9: The next step is to adjust the weight of any Index Commodity if the ratio of the ICIP compared to its
liquidity percentage is greater than a threshold currently set at 3.5, though this threshold is subject to
revision by BISL from time to time. The weight that is taken from any such Index Commodity is allocated to
the Index Commodities that have such ratio below a threshold to be determined each year by BISL (excluding
any Index Commodity that, were the ICIP so increased, would cause any of the
maximum weight rules in Steps C, D or E of Section 2.6 to be exceeded) by adding such aggregate amount
to the relevant ICIPs in equal amounts.
54
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Table 21: Example CIP Adjustment if the ICIP to Liquidity Percentage is Greater than 3.5
Ranked By Ratio <
Commodity Ratio > 3.5? ICIP Final CIP
2.0?
Natural Gas 1.421943 TRUE 6.2331% 7.9389%
WTI Crude Oil 0.359496 7.7717%
Brent Crude Oil 0.359507 7.2283%
RBOB Gasoline 0.449013 2.1962%
Heating Oil 0.449662 2.0987%
Low Sulfur Gas Oil 0.446372 2.7136%
Live Cattle 5.648002 TRUE 3.3187% 3.3187%
Lean Hogs 8.428114 TRUE 1.7432% 1.7432%
Wheat (Chicago) 2.326767 2.7939%
Wheat (KC HRW) 3.59161 TRUE 1.7543% 1.7543%
Corn 2.082138 5.5133%
Soybeans 1.03291 TRUE 4.0782% 5.7840%
Soybean Oil 1.5882 TRUE 1.5591% 3.2648%
Soybean Meal 1.410623 TRUE 1.8227% 3.5285%
Aluminum 3.09345 4.0857%
Copper 2.033879 5.2289% 5.2289%
Zinc 3.680894 TRUE 2.9053% 2.9053%
Nickel 3.704286 TRUE 2.7797% 2.7797%
Lead 9.636491 TRUE 0.9361% 0.9361%
Tin 0 0.0000%
Gold 1 14.8532% 14.8532%
Silver 1 TRUE 2.8845% 4.5902%
Platinum 0 0.0000%
Sugar 4.390669 TRUE 2.5559% 2.5559%
Cotton 6.372753 TRUE 1.5589% 1.5589%
Coffee 3.632158 TRUE 2.8579% 2.8579%
Cocoa 0 0.0000%
Total 100.0000%
55
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Definitions:
Lead Futures Futures contracts included in the WAV1 calculation, as shown in Tables 25, 26 and 27.
Next Futures Futures contracts included in the WAV2 calculation, as shown in Tables 25, 26 and 27.
Array Indexed list of values. Variables defined in Bold type are Arrays. When the Array variable
is followed by a subscript i, this indicates the ith value of that array.
Other non-array variables may be followed by the subscript t, or t - 1. This denotes the Business Day of the
month, with t - 1 denoting the prior Business Day's values. When t is the first Business Day of the month, t -
1 is the last Business Day of the prior month.
Afyr Adjustment Factor used to normalize the CIMs for that year. This is calculated on the
fourth Business Day of the year.
CIPyr The CIPs to be implemented for the new year.
CIM1 Commodity Index Multiplier Array applied to the Lead Futures.
CIM2 Commodity Index Multiplier Array applied to the Next Futures.
ICIM Interim Commodity Index Multiplier Array used in calculating the final CIM.
FPD1 Lead Futures contract price Array in U.S. dollars.
FPD2 Next Futures contract price Array in U.S. dollars.
WAV1 Weighted Average Value of FPD1 x CIM1.
TWAV Value of WAV1 as of the CIM Determination Date.
WAV2 Weighted Average Value of FPD2 x CIM2.
N Total number of Index Commodities.
BCOM Bloomberg Commodity Index.
BCOMTR BCOM Total Return Index.
_S Denotes Settlement Price.
DER Daily Excess Return.
TBD Treasury Bill Daily Return.
RW Roll Weights Array, {1, 1, 1, 1, 1, .80, .60, .40, .20, 0, 0, 0,....0}.
This designates the percentage weightings applied to the WAV1 and WAV2 during the
Roll. For WAV2, (1 - RW t) is used as described below.
BCOM SP A “spot price” version of BCOM, based on the futures contract prices used to calculate
BCOM. This index is not “investable”, but provides a general estimate of the trend in
commodity prices without the positive or negative return effects which may be caused by
the rolling process, or the costs involved in actually holding physical commodities.
Note on Rounding:
The CIM1, CIM2, WAV1, WAV2, BCOM, BCOMTR and BCOM SP values are rounded to 8 decimal places
following calculation.
56
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Formulas:
ICIM i = CIPyr i x 1000 / FPD1_S i , i = 1 to N. This calculation is done on the fourth Business Day of
the year, using prices from the CIM Determination
Date, once all Designated Contracts have published
Settlement Prices for that day.
N
WAV1 = ∑ CIM1i x FPD1 i
i=1
N
WAV2 = ∑ CIM2i x FPD2 i
i=1
For each year “t”, on the CIM Determination Date, the fourth business day of the year, calculate a Subindex
Adjustment Factor “SAF” as follows:
57
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
SubWav1 and SubWav2 are calculated using the CIM for each Index Commodity multiplied by the SAF t for
that year:
N
SubWAVj = ∑ CIM j, i x FPDj, i x SAF t
i=1
where j = 1 and 2
where i corresponds to the specific commodity in the Subindex, and t corresponds to the same year as that
in which the CIM was calculated.
58
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
59
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
60
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
If there is a Market Disruption Event during the Hedge Roll Period, a change is made to the calculation of
BCOM to reflect the fact that the “roll” of certain Designated Contracts may need to be postponed.
For a Market Disruption Event occurring in the Hedge Roll Period falling in the months February through
December, inclusive, this special calculation is applied on the Business Day following such Market
Disruption Event.
For a Market Disruption Event occurring in the Hedge Roll Period falling in the month of January, this
special calculation is applied on every remaining Business Day during such Hedge Roll Period, starting on
the Business Day following such Market Disruption Event, and ending on the last day of the extended
Hedge Roll Period.
For purposes of the calculations in this Appendix G, the clause “an Index Commodity is involved in a Market
Disruption Event” means that there was a Market Disruption Event affecting that Index Commodity on the
previous Business Day.
(This same procedure is used to calculate any affected subindex, by applying the following formulas only to
those commodities included in such Subindex and substituting the appropriate Subindex designation for
BCOM.)
Definitions:
AC Adjusted Change, which is the factor that will be applied to the prior BCOM value to
calculate the current BCOM value.
RW Roll Weights, defined as{1, 1, 1, 1, 1, .80, .60, .40, .20, 0,0, 0,....0}
This array is indexed by the Business Day of the month t.
FPD1_S i , t Lead Futures Settlement Price in U.S. dollars for Index Commodity i, on day t.
FPD2_S i , t Next Futures Settlement Price in U.S. dollars for Index Commodity i, on day t.
61
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
(1) Determine the Actual Roll Percentage applied to each Index Commodity. For any Index Commodity
not involved in a Market Disruption Event, this ARP is equal to the RW t.
For any Index Commodity that is involved in a Market Disruption Event, the ARP is equal to the prior
Business Day’s ARP.
During the month of January the following special rule is applied for all Index Commodities 1 through N:
For Business Days 1 through 5, ARP i , t equals 1 for all Index Commodities. For Business Days 6
through the end of the Hedge Roll Period, the following rule will apply:
ARP i , t = The maximum of 0 (Zero) or (ARP i , t-1 - 20%), if NOT involved in a Market Disruption
Event, otherwise
(2) Calculate the Adjusted Change (“AC”) as follows. For each Lead Future in BCOM, calculate the
Settlement Price in U.S. dollars for day t, multiplied by the Actual Roll Percentage for this Index Commodity,
multiplied by the CIM1 for that commodity.
For each Next Future in BCOM, calculate the Settlement Price in U.S. dollars for day t, multiplied by the (1-
Actual Roll Percentage for this commodity), multiplied by the CIM2 for that commodity.
Sum these products for all Index Commodities. This sum is the numerator.
The denominator is calculated in the same fashion, substituting the prior day's Settlement Prices for all
Index Commodities. (Continue to use the current day's ARPs and (1-ARP)s.)
N
∑ {FPD1_S i, t x CIM1 i x ARP i , t + FPD2_S i, t x CIM2 i x (1 - ARP i , t ) }
i=1
AC = N
∑ {FPD1_S i, t-1 x CIM1 i x ARP i , t + FPD2_S i, t-1 x CIM2 i x (1 - ARP i , t )}
i=1
62
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Launched in July 1998, the Bloomberg Commodity Index family includes eight sector Subindices, multiple
forward month indices, indices for each individual commodity, indices excluding an individual commodity or
sector, currency hedged versions, a Roll Select index series, 2-4-6 Forward Blend, and other specialty indices.
Also available are total return versions of each of the excess return indices and sub-indices as well as Spot
indices for the benchmark and sector indices. For an up-to-date comprehensive list of Bloomberg Commodity
Indices, please refer to the link below.
https://www.bloomberg.com/professional/product/indices/
In addition, BISL calculates a Subindex in respect of every individual Index Commodity. The individual
commodity Subindex utilizes the CIM that applies to that commodity. In addition, although Cocoa was deleted
from the composite index as of the January 2005 reweighting period, an individual Subindex is calculated for
Cocoa, as well as for Platinum, Lead, Tin, Frozen Concentrated Orange Juice (FCOJ), Feeder Cattle, and
Palladium in order to facilitate historical and future data analysis. Individual Subindices will continue, subject
to BISL’s discretion as Index Administrator, to be calculated for each of the Index Commodities comprising the
2022
BCOM even if in the future a commodity is deleted from the Index. When Brent Crude Oil was added to the
Index in 2012, UBS launched the Bloomberg Composite Crude Oil Subindex. The Bloomberg Composite
Crude Oil Subindex tracks the performance of the historical crude components of the index: i.e. WTI only prior
to the January 2012 rebalance and Brent Crude Oil and WTI Crude Oil in their respective relative weights from
and after the January 2012 rebalancing. This means that the Bloomberg WTI Crude Oil Subindex and the
Bloomberg Composite Crude Oil Subindex are identical in their reported data prior to January 2012. Similarly,
in 2013, UBS launched the Bloomberg Composite Wheat Subindex. The Bloomberg Composite Wheat
Subindex tracks the performance of the historical Wheat components of the index: i.e. Chicago Wheat (CBOT)
only prior to the January 2013 rebalance and KC HRW Wheat (CBOT) and Chicago Wheat (CBOT) in their
respective relative weights from and after the January 2013 rebalancing. This means that the Bloomberg
Wheat Subindex and the Bloomberg Composite Wheat Subindex are identical in their reported data prior to
January 2013.
Calculation Method:
The calculation of the Subindices will follow the same rules, including rounding conventions, as the calculation
of BCOM, with the following difference:
A Sub-WAV1 and Sub-WAV2 for each Subindex is calculated on a daily basis using the Lead Future and
Next Future for each Index Commodity included in that Subindex. These Sub-WAVs are the sum of the
product of the prices of the Index Commodities included in that Subindex and their respective CIMs, as
determined for BCOM on the CIM Determination Date 27 . In the event that a CIM is zero for an Index
Commodity, the individual Subindex calculated in respect of that particular commodity will continue to use
the most recent non-zero CIM for all future calculations or, 1.00, in respect of commodities that have never
been included in the Index.
27
There will be no modifications or additional normalizations to the CIMs for use in the Sub-Indices.
63
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Excess Total
Subindex Sub-WAVs
Return Return
64
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
The following are the full names for each Subindex (“Bloomberg” may be substituted for “BCOM”, except in
the acronyms for the spot Subindices):
Subindex Subindex
Excess Return Total Return
BCOM Energy Subindex BCOM Energy Total Return Subindex
BCOM Petroleum Subindex BCOM Petroleum Total Return Subindex
BCOM Livestock Subindex BCOM Livestock Total Return Subindex
BCOM Grains Subindex BCOM Grains Total Return Subindex
BCOM Industrial Metals Subindex BCOM Industrial Metals Total Return Subindex
BCOM Precious Metals Subindex BCOM Precious Metals Total Return Subindex
BCOM Softs Subindex BCOM Softs Total Return Subindex
BCOM ex-Energy Subindex BCOM ex-Energy Total Return Subindex
BCOM ex-Ag & Livestock Subindex BCOM ex-Ag & Livestock Total Return Subindex
BCOM ex-Industrial Metals Subindex BCOM ex-Industrial Metals Total Return Subindex
BCOM ex-Precious Subindex BCOM ex-Precious Total Return Subindex
BCOM ex-Agriculture Subindex BCOM ex-Agriculture Total Return Subindex
BCOM ex-Livestock Subindex BCOM ex-Livestock Total Return Subindex
BCOM ex-Softs Subindex BCOM ex-Softs Total Return Subindex
BCOM ex-Grains Subindex BCOM ex-Grains Total Return Subindex
BCOM ex-Petroleum Subindex BCOM ex-Petroleum Total Return Subindex
BCOM ex-Livestock and Petroleum Subindex BCOM ex-Livestock and Petroleum Total Return Subindex
BCOM ex-Precious Metals ex-Lean Hogs Subindex BCOM ex-Precious Metals ex-Lean Hogs Total Return Subindex
BCOM Agriculture Subindex BCOM Agriculture Total Return Subindex
BCOM Composite Crude Oil Subindex BCOM Composite Crude Oil Total Return Subindex
BCOM Composite Wheat Subindex BCOM Composite Wheat Total Return Subindex
BCOM Natural Gas Subindex BCOM Natural Gas Total Return Subindex
BCOM WTI Crude Oil Subindex BCOM WTI Crude Oil Total Return Subindex
BCOM Brent Crude Oil Subindex BCOM Brent Crude Oil Total Return Subindex
BCOM Unleaded Gasoline Subindex BCOM Unleaded Gasoline Total Return Subindex
BCOM Heating Oil Subindex BCOM Heating Oil Total Return Subindex
BCOM Live Cattle Subindex BCOM Live Cattle Total Return Subindex
BCOM Lean Hogs Subindex BCOM Lean Hogs Total Return Subindex
BCOM Chicago Wheat Subindex BCOM Chicago Wheat Total Return Subindex
BCOM Kansas Wheat Subindex BCOM Kansas Wheat Total Return Subindex
BCOM Corn Subindex BCOM Corn Total Return Subindex
BCOM Soybeans Subindex BCOM Soybeans Total Return Subindex
BCOM Soybean Meal Subindex BCOM Soybean Meal Total Return Subindex
BCOM Soybean Oil Subindex BCOM Soybean Oil Total Return Subindex
BCOM Aluminum Subindex BCOM Aluminum Total Return Subindex
BCOM Copper Subindex BCOM Copper Total Return Subindex
BCOM Nickel Subindex BCOM Nickel Total Return Subindex
BCOM Zinc Subindex BCOM Zinc Total Return Subindex
BCOM Gold Subindex BCOM Gold Total Return Subindex
BCOM Silver Subindex BCOM Silver Total Return Subindex
BCOM Sugar Subindex BCOM Sugar Total Return Subindex
BCOM Cotton Subindex BCOM Cotton Total Return Subindex
BCOM Coffee Subindex BCOM Coffee Total Return Subindex
BCOM Cocoa Subindex BCOM Cocoa Total Return Subindex
BCOM Platinum Subindex BCOM Platinum Total Return Subindex
65
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
66
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Please note that while the specifications for the HO contract were changed by the CME group in 2013 from
heating oil to ultra-low sulfur diesel, the index names including “Heating Oil” will be retained in their original
form, and future indices using the HO contract will be specified as “Heating Oil” indices.
67
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
BISL calculates (i) several non-US Dollar denominated (or currency converted) versions of BCOM and
BCOMTR, (ii) several non-US Dollar currency daily hedged versions of BCOM and BCOMTR and (iii)
several non-US Dollar currency monthly hedged versions of BCOM and BCOMTR.
The currency converted versions of the Indices reflect the performance that an investor who measures his
investments in the foreign currency would receive by making a US Dollar denominated investment in the
Indices. For example, consider a EUR-based investor who starts with 100 EUR to invest, converts the EUR
into USD at the prevailing spot rate and invests the proceeds in an investment that tracks BCOMTR. At the
end of the investment period, the investor sells the investment and converts the USD proceeds back into
EUR at the prevailing spot rate. If, during the investment period, BCOM has increased by 5%, but the USD
has weakened by 2% against the EUR, the investor would expect to have received an investment return of
approximately 3% in EUR terms. The Bloomberg Commodity Index Euro Total Return could be expected to
have increased by approximately 3% over the same investment period.
BCOM currency hedged versions aim to measure the performance of the Bloomberg Commodity Index
(calculated in US Dollars), where currency exposures affecting index principal are hedged against the
currencies indicated by the index names. Two variations of currency hedged versions are provided:
monthly hedged and daily hedged. The different variations may be appropriate for different uses,
depending on the nature of the needed benchmark or index-linked product.
68
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
The calculation of the currency converted versions of the Indices will be accomplished by multiplying BCOM
and BCOMTR values by the FX Reference Rate, divided by a fixed FX Starting Rate.
The FX Reference Rates are sourced from BFIX using the daily 16:00 London fix rate.
The calculation of the Daily Settlement values for the non-USD currency converted Indices will be as
follows:
FXRR = The applicable FX Reference Rate, expressed as FX units per US Dollar, rounded to 8 decimal
places
FX Reference Rate Fallback: In the event that the FXRR is not available from the Bloomberg FX Fixings
(BFIX), then Bloomberg will use expert judgment in determining the fx rates for the current business day.
69
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Both the BCOM FX and the BCOM FXTR are rounded to 8 decimal places.
The three components used to calculate the hedged return of each currency hedged Index are as follows:
1. Performance of the unhedged Index in the hedge currency
2. Impact on return from the cost of the hedge
3. Return of the spot exchange rate
Where:
FXRatei1 = Spot exchange rate of currency i at the close of the previous month
FFRatei1 = One month forward rate of currency i at the close of the previous month
Where:
FXRatei2 = Spot exchange rate of currency i at the close of the current month
Combining the above two formulas, the total return of the hedge can be calculated as:
Where
FXRatei1 = Spot exchange rate of currency i at the close of the previous month
FXRatei2 = Spot exchange rate of currency i at the close of the current month
FFRatei1 = One month forward rate for currency i at the close of the previous month
The performance of the hedged index is the sum of the performance of the unhedged index and the hedge
impact. The simplified formula is as follows:
Where
Unhedged Index1 = Unhedged index at the close of the previous month in the hedge currency
Unhedged Index2 = Unhedged index at the close of the current month in the hedge currency
70
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Where
To calculate a daily currency hedged index, the value of the forward contract for the remaining period needs
to be estimated. This can be expressed as follows:
Where
Combining the above formula with the previously discussed formulas, the daily currency hedge index is
calculated as follows:
Where
The purpose of the Daily Currency Hedged Bloomberg Indices is to provide a benchmark for non-US investors
with respect to investments in BCOM for which the effects of foreign exchange risk are hedged. The daily
hedged indices may provide a more easily replicable (and thus more readily investable) hedging structure
than a transaction (sometimes called a “quanto”) in which an investor receives the performance payable
in one currency in respect of an index or asset that is denominated in another currency.
There are 3 versions of this index, an excess return, total return, and modified total return version. The
excess return currency hedged index is calculated from the excess return USD version of the Index. The
total return currency hedged version of the Index is calculated from the excess return currency hedged
Index by adding the local interest of the currency which is hedged. Also available is a modified version of
the total return currency hedged which is calculated from the excess return currency hedged Index by
adding the US 3-Month T-Bill return adjusted by the 1-Week FX Carry return of the currency which is
hedged. For all of these, the notional hedging position is rebalanced daily.
In the unlikely event that a market disruption or publication failure affects the FX rates used to calculate the
Daily Hedged Currency Indices, then the Index Sponsors will determine the rates in a commercially
reasonable manner, which could include averaging prices obtained from one or more foreign exchange
dealers. As Index Administrator, BISL retains the flexibility to apply different methodologies or to make
other changes to the calculations of the Daily Hedged Currency Indices in the event that a currency control
mechanism is implemented or other material disruptions occur in the relevant foreign exchange markets.
The Applicable Reference Rates are defined based on the most recently published values, so a disruption
to the publication of the values would normally result in the rates remaining unchanged during the disruption
period. However, BISL retains the flexibility to make changes to the Applicable Reference Rate or
substitute alternate rates in the event of an extended or material disruption.
The daily currency hedged versions are available for the following currencies: AUD, CAD, CHF, EUR, JPY,
and GBP.
Where:
HIER,t is the value of the Daily Currency Hedged Excess Return Index on index business day t.
FXt FX Spot price as obtained from the source and time summarized in the table below.
IUSD,ER,t is the value of the USD Excess Return Index on Business Day t.
A Quotation Exponent as defined in the table below:
72
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
The general formula for calculating Daily Currency Hedged Total Return Indices using local interest rates is:
Where:
HITR,t is the value of the Daily Currency Hedged Total Return Index on Business Day t.
HIER,t is the value of the Daily Currency Hedged Excess Return Index on Business Day t.
IRRt is the Interest Rate Return index business day t, generally defined as:
ARRt is the Applicable Reference Rate on Business Day t defined as the latest reference rate published
as of a previous day prior to such Business Day t.
N is the currency market convention Numerator as defined in the table below.
D is the currency market convention Denominator as defined in the table below.
dt-1–dt is the number of calendar days from index business day t-1 to index business day t
Spread is the Spread as defined in the table below:
73
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Effective January 2, 2018, the TOIS fixing was replaced with the SARON (Swiss Average Rate Overnight) fixing.
Effective October 29, 2020, the EONIA was replaced with the euro short-term rate €STR + 8.5 bps.
28
The Spreads applicable to each ARR have initially been set to zero, though they may periodically be adjusted where the BOC
determines that there have been material changes to the funding cost or rate differential applicable to a hypothetical investment
grade issuer of Index-linked products and that changes are therefore warranted to maintain the applicable Index as a benchmark for
a currency hedged investment in commodities.
74
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
The general formula for calculating Daily Currency Hedged Modified Total Return Indices is:
Where:
HITR,t is the value of the Daily Currency Hedged Total Return Index on Business Day t.
HIER,t is the value of the Daily Currency Hedged Excess Return Index on Business Day t.
IRRt is the Interest Rate Return index business day t, generally defined as:
3MR t = the most recent weekly auction High Rate for 13 week (3 Month) U.S. Treasury Bills, as
reported on the website http://www.treasurydirect.gov/instit/annceresult/annceresult.htm
published by the Bureau of the Public Debt of the U.S. Treasury, or any successor page,
on such Business Day, provided, that if such auction High Rate is published on such
Business Day d, TBill(d-1) shall be the rate published for the most recent previous
auction.
This rate is then used for every day until the next rate is released; provided, however, that
if a new rate is scheduled to be released on a given day, the prior rate is used for
purposes of calculations in respect of such release date. The new rate is generally
obtained on Monday and, accordingly, is first used in respect of Tuesday’s settlement
calculations. In the event of a holiday or other disruption in the Treasury auction
schedule, the last available rate is used until the next rate becomes available. Note that
the prior day's rate is used in calculating the value of TBD, to reflect the realization of an
investment at that rate on day “t”.
1 Week Forward FX
Currency A 1 Week Forward FX Fixing Time
Fixing Source
75
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
BISL calculates, or may in the future calculate, forward month versions of BCOM and certain
Subindices.29.
These indices are calculated on an excess return and total return basis. Following are the names of the
forward month Indices:
These indices follow all the rules of BCOM as contained in this Methodology with the following modification:
the contracts defined as Lead Future and Next Future, as designated in Table 9, are advanced, such that
• For BCOMF1, the contracts that would be the Lead Future and Next Future in the next calendar
month are instead the Lead Future and Next Future in the current calendar month.
• For BCOMF2, the contracts that would be the Lead Future and Next Future in two calendar months
are instead the Lead Future and Next Future in the current calendar month.
• For BCOMF3, the contracts that would be the Lead Future and Next Future in three calendar
months are instead the Lead Future and Next Future in the current calendar month.
• For the other forward month Indices, a similar pattern is followed, except that, for liquidity reasons,
Live Cattle, Lean Hogs and Unleaded Gasoline will never follow a schedule advanced by more than
5 months. So, for example, in BCOMF6, (i) for each Index Commodity (other than Live Cattle, Lean
Hogs and Unleaded Gasoline), the contracts that would be the Lead Future and the Next Future in
six calendar months are instead the Lead Future and the Next Future in the current calendar month
and (ii) for Live Cattle, Lean Hogs and Unleaded Gasoline, the contracts that would be the Lead
Future and the Next Future in five calendar months are instead the Lead Future and the Next Future
in the current calendar month.
The Commodity Index Multipliers used in the calculation of the forward month versions of BCOM are
unchanged from that used for the calculation of the standard BCOM.
BISL calculates Subindex versions of BCOMF2, BCOMF3 and BCOMF6. The calculation methodology for the
Subindex versions of these indices is the same as for the Subindex versions of BCOM, but references
29
As of the date of this Methodology, forward indices beyond 6-months have not been launched but may be in the
future.
76
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
only the futures contracts relevant to the applicable Subindex. These Subindices are calculated on an excess
return and total return basis. A list of Indices and Subindices is available at the following URL:
https://www.bloomberg.com/professional/product/indices/
Table 24: Roll schedule for the Lead Future for Natural Gas
Lead Future
Calendar
Month BCOM BCOMF1 BCOMF2 BCOMF3
Jan M M M M
Feb M M M J
Mar M M J J
Apr M J J Se
May J J Se Se
Jun J Se Se N
Jul Se Se N N
Aug Se N N Ja
Sep N N Ja Ja
Oct N Ja Ja M
Nov Ja Ja M M
Dec Ja M M M
77
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
For additional clarity, refer to the following Tables 25, 26 and 27 (Contract Months Included in WAV
Calculations) modified for the first three forward Indices:
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Commodity
(F) (G) (H) (J) (K) (M) (N) (Q) (U) (V) (X) (Z)
Natural Gas Mar May May Jul Jul Sep Sep Nov Nov Jan Jan Mar
WTI Crude Oil Mar May May Jul Jul Sep Sep Nov Nov Jan Jan Mar
Brent Crude Oil May May Jul Jul Sep Sep Nov Nov Jan Jan Mar Mar
Unleaded Gas Mar May May Jul Jul Sep Sep Nov Nov Jan Jan Mar
ULS Diesel Mar May May Jul Jul Sep Sep Nov Nov Jan Jan Mar
Live Cattle Apr Apr Jun Jun Aug Aug Oct Oct Dec Dec Feb Feb
Lean Hogs Apr Apr Jun Jun Jul Aug Oct Oct Dec Dec Feb Feb
Wheat (Chicago) Mar May May Jul Jul Sep Sep Dec Dec Dec Mar Mar
Wheat (KC HRW) Mar May May Jul Jul Sep Sep Dec Dec Dec Mar Mar
Corn Mar May May Jul Jul Sep Sep Dec Dec Dec Mar Mar
Soybeans Mar May May Jul Jul Nov Nov Nov Nov Jan Jan Mar
Soybean Oil Mar May May Jul Jul Dec Dec Dec Dec Jan Jan Mar
Soybean Meal Mar May May Jul Jul Dec Dec Dec Dec Jan Jan Mar
Aluminum Mar May May Jul Jul Sep Sep Nov Nov Jan Jan Mar
Copper Mar May May Jul Jul Sep Sep Dec Dec Dec Mar Mar
Zinc Mar May May Jul Jul Sep Sep Nov Nov Jan Jan Mar
Nickel Mar May May Jul Jul Sep Sep Nov Nov Jan Jan Mar
Lead Mar May May Jul Jul Sep Sep Nov Nov Jan Jan Mar
Tin Mar May May Jul Jul Sep Sep Nov Nov Jan Jan Mar
Gold Apr Apr Jun Jun Aug Aug Dec Dec Dec Dec Feb Feb
Silver Mar May May Jul Jul Sep Sep Dec Dec Dec Mar Mar
Platinum Apr Apr Jul Jul Jul Oct Oct Oct Jan Jan Jan Apr
Sugar No.11 Mar May May Jul Jul Oct Oct Oct Mar Mar Mar Mar
Cotton No.2 Mar May May Jul Jul Dec Dec Dec Dec Dec Mar Mar
Coffee "C" Mar May May Jul Jul Sep Sep Dec Dec Dec Mar Mar
Cocoa Mar May May Jul Jul Sep Sep Dec Dec Dec Mar Mar
Low Sulphur Gas Oil Mar May May Jul Jul Sep Sep Nov Nov Jan Jan Mar
78
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Commodity
(F) (G) (H) (J) (K) (M) (N) (Q) (U) (V) (X) (Z)
Natural Gas May May Jul Jul Sep Sep Nov Nov Jan Jan Mar Mar
WTI Crude Oil May May Jul Jul Sep Sep Nov Nov Jan Jan Mar Mar
Brent Crude Oil May Jul Jul Sep Sep Nov Nov Jan Jan Mar Mar May
Unleaded Gas May May Jul Jul Sep Sep Nov Nov Jan Jan Mar Mar
ULS Diesel May May Jul Jul Sep Sep Nov Nov Jan Jan Mar Mar
Live Cattle Apr Jun Jun Aug Aug Oct Oct Dec Dec Feb Feb Apr
Lean Hogs Apr Jun Jun Jul Aug Oct Oct Dec Dec Feb Feb Apr
Wheat (Chicago) May May Jul Jul Sep Sep Dec Dec Dec Mar Mar Mar
Wheat (KC HRW) May May Jul Jul Sep Sep Dec Dec Dec Mar Mar Mar
Corn May May Jul Jul Sep Sep Dec Dec Dec Mar Mar Mar
Soybeans May May Jul Jul Nov Nov Nov Nov Jan Jan Mar Mar
Soybean Oil May May Jul Jul Dec Dec Dec Dec Jan Jan Mar Mar
Soybean Meal May May Jul Jul Dec Dec Dec Dec Jan Jan Mar Mar
Aluminum May May Jul Jul Sep Sep Nov Nov Jan Jan Mar Mar
Copper May May Jul Jul Sep Sep Dec Dec Dec Mar Mar Mar
Zinc May May Jul Jul Sep Sep Nov Nov Jan Jan Mar Mar
Nickel May May Jul Jul Sep Sep Nov Nov Jan Jan Mar Mar
Lead May May Jul Jul Sep Sep Nov Nov Jan Jan Mar Mar
Tin May May Jul Jul Sep Sep Nov Nov Jan Jan Mar Mar
Gold Apr Jun Jun Aug Aug Dec Dec Dec Dec Feb Feb Apr
Silver May May Jul Jul Sep Sep Dec Dec Dec Mar Mar Mar
Platinum Apr Jul Jul Jul Oct Oct Oct Jan Jan Jan Apr Apr
Sugar No.11 May May Jul Jul Oct Oct Oct Mar Mar Mar Mar Mar
Cotton No.2 May May Jul Jul Dec Dec Dec Dec Dec Mar Mar Mar
Coffee "C" May May Jul Jul Sep Sep Dec Dec Dec Mar Mar Mar
Cocoa May May Jul Jul Sep Sep Dec Dec Dec Mar Mar Mar
Low Sulphur Gas Oil May May Jul Jul Sep Sep Nov Nov Jan Jan Mar Mar
79
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Commodity
(F) (G) (H) (J) (K) (M) (N) (Q) (U) (V) (X) (Z)
Natural Gas May Jul Jul Sep Sep Nov Nov Jan Jan Mar Mar May
WTI Crude Oil May Jul Jul Sep Sep Nov Nov Jan Jan Mar Mar May
Brent Crude Oil Jul Jul Sep Sep Nov Nov Jan Jan Mar Mar May May
Unleaded Gas May Jul Jul Sep Sep Nov Nov Jan Jan Mar Mar May
ULS Diesel May Jul Jul Sep Sep Nov Nov Jan Jan Mar Mar May
Live Cattle Jun Jun Aug Aug Oct Oct Dec Dec Feb Feb Apr Apr
Lean Hogs Jun Jun Jul Aug Oct Oct Dec Dec Feb Feb Apr Apr
Wheat (Chicago) May Jul Jul Sep Sep Dec Dec Dec Mar Mar Mar May
Wheat (KC HRW) May Jul Jul Sep Sep Dec Dec Dec Mar Mar Mar May
Corn May Jul Jul Sep Sep Dec Dec Dec Mar Mar Mar May
Soybeans May Jul Jul Nov Nov Nov Nov Jan Jan Mar Mar May
Soybean Oil May Jul Jul Dec Dec Dec Dec Jan Jan Mar Mar May
Soybean Meal May Jul Jul Dec Dec Dec Dec Jan Jan Mar Mar May
Aluminum May Jul Jul Sep Sep Nov Nov Jan Jan Mar Mar May
Copper May Jul Jul Sep Sep Dec Dec Dec Mar Mar Mar May
Zinc May Jul Jul Sep Sep Nov Nov Jan Jan Mar Mar May
Nickel May Jul Jul Sep Sep Nov Nov Jan Jan Mar Mar May
Lead May Jul Jul Sep Sep Nov Nov Jan Jan Mar Mar May
Tin May Jul Jul Sep Sep Nov Nov Jan Jan Mar Mar May
Gold Jun Jun Aug Aug Dec Dec Dec Dec Feb Feb Apr Apr
Silver May Jul Jul Sep Sep Dec Dec Dec Mar Mar Mar May
Platinum Jul Jul Jul Oct Oct Oct Jan Jan Jan Apr Apr Apr
Sugar No.11 May Jul Jul Oct Oct Oct Mar Mar Mar Mar Mar May
Cotton No.2 May Jul Jul Dec Dec Dec Dec Dec Mar Mar Mar May
Coffee "C" May Jul Jul Sep Sep Dec Dec Dec Mar Mar Mar May
Cocoa May Jul Jul Sep Sep Dec Dec Dec Mar Mar Mar May
Low Sulphur Gas Oil May Jul Jul Sep Sep Nov Nov Jan Jan Mar Mar May
80
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
BISL calculates a Subindex of BCOM that consists of 50% Agricultural commodities, and 50% Energy
commodities. The calculation rules are as follows:
(1) Each year BISL will define a set of “Commodity Index Percentages” (“CIPs”), which are the standard
BCOM CIPs, and are adjusted such that the CIPS for Energy commodities and for Agriculture commodities
each sum up to 50%. In order to calculate the adjusted CIPs, each included CIP within the Agriculture or
Energy group as applicable will be divided by the sum of all the CIPs for commodities included within
the group, then multiplied by 0.50, in order to pro-rate each CIP to a proportion within the subgroup based on
its CIP. In addition, the adjusted CIP for Natural Gas will be divided by 2, and half of the weight that would
otherwise go into Natural Gas will instead be split equally and allocated to ULS Diesel, RBOB Gasoline,
and Low Sulphur Gas Oil.
(2) All other rules will adhere to the rules of the standard BCOM as defined in this Methodology,
including using these “CIPs” on the “CIM Determination Date” to determine the special “Commodity Index
Multipliers” to be applied for calculating this special Subindex. As a result, the effective weighs of this Subindex
will vary from the target CIPs as prices move.
(3) BISL will publish only a daily settlement value of this custom Subindex.
(4) The initial value of this Subindex was set to 100 as of January 2, 1991.
(5) The following commodities comprise the Energy group: Natural Gas, Crude Oil, RBOB Gasoline,
ULS Diesel (HO), and Low Sulphur Gas Oil.
(6) The following commodities comprise the Agriculture group for the purposes of this Subindex: Chicago
Wheat, KC HRW Wheat, Corn, Soybeans, Soybean Oil, Soybean Meal, Live Cattle, Lean Hogs, Sugar No.11,
Cotton No.2, Coffee "C" and Cocoa (Cocoa is included the historical index when it was in the standard
BCOM, and has zero weight after the 2005 January roll/rebalancing period).
81
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
On the fourth business day of each month (each a “contract selection date”) the contract selection
process is performed as follows:
1 Using Table 9 of the Methodology, for each index commodity “j” represented in the index in the current
year, the expiration date of each futures contract listed on Table 9 is determined for such index
commodity beginning with the next future and with 9 months or fewer until expiration as of the contract
selection date (using a period of 273 calendar days) (a “potential contract”) as well as the
expiration date of the futures contract immediately preceding each such contract as specified in Table
28 below (a “prior period contract”), which may be a contract not included in Table 9, it being
understood, however, that no contract shall be selected if there is no prior period contract.
The potential contract with the latest expiration date for the index commodity j is termed the “maximum
potential contract j” or “MPC j.”
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Commodity
(F) (G) (H) (J) (K) (M) (N) (Q) (U) (V) (X) (Z)
Natural Gas Dec Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct
WTI Crude Oil Dec Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct
Brent Crude Oil Dec Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct
Unleaded Gas Dec Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct
ULS Diesel Dec Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct
Low Sulfur Gas Oil Dec Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct
Live Cattle Dec Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct
Lean Hogs Dec Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Oct
Wheat (Chicago) Dec Mar May Jul Sep
Wheat (KC HRW) Dec Mar May Jul Sep
Corn Dec Mar May Jul Sep
Soybeans Nov Jan Mar May Jul
Soybean Oil Dec Jan Mar May Jul
Soybean Meal Dec Jan Mar May Jul
Aluminum Dec Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct
Copper Feb Apr Jun Aug Nov
Zinc Dec Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct
Nickel Dec Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct
Lead Dec Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct
Gold Dec Feb Apr Jun Oct
Silver Dec Mar May Jul Sep
Sugar No.11 Oct Mar May Jul
Cotton No.2 Dec Mar May Jul
Coffee "C" Dec Mar May Jul Sep
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The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Note: Prior Period Contracts are shown under headings representing Potential Contracts
2 The annualized percentage spread is calculated between each potential contract and the prior period
contract for all index commodities “j” (using all potential contracts listed in Table 9 out to MPCj ):
N j = the number of listed contracts for Index Commodity j out to and including the MPCj.
C i, j = the “ith” numbered contract for Index Commodity j . The highest value of “i” is N j.
For each “i” for which C i, j is a Potential Contract, S i, j = ([P i-1, j /P i, j]-1) x [365/Days i]
3 For each index commodity j, the contract to be defined as the “next” contract to be rolled into and used in
the calculation of the Bloomberg Roll Select Commodity Index (i.e., the contract which will be used to
determine the relevant index commodity j’s component of WAV2 during the current calendar month and
WAV1 during the following calendar month), is the potential contract which corresponds to the highest
value of S i, j. In the event that two values of S i, j for index commodity j are equal, the “next” contract will
be the potential contract of shorter maturity.
The Bloomberg Roll Select Indices, together with their Bloomberg tickers, are set out below.
83
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
84
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Bloomberg Commodity Index 2–4–6 Forward BlendSM (“2–4–6 Blend”) is an equally weighted basket of
positions in the Bloomberg Commodity Index 2 Month ForwardSM (“F2”), Bloomberg Commodity Index 4
Month ForwardSM (“F4”) and Bloomberg Commodity Index 6 Month ForwardSM (“F6”).
Exposure to each component index is rebalanced monthly on the Rebalancing Day i, which is the last
BCOM business day of every month.
The level of the Bloomberg Commodity Index 2–4–6 Forward Blend is determined by reference to (i) the
performance of the Bloomberg Commodity Index 2 Month ForwardSM, (ii) the performance of the Bloomberg
Commodity Index 4 Month ForwardSM and (iii) the performance of the Bloomberg Commodity Index 6 Month
ForwardSM.
Where:
2–4–6Blendi is the closing level on the most recent Rebalancing Day i prior to BCOM
Business Day t.
F2t is the closing level in USD of the Bloomberg Commodity Index 2 Month ForwardSM on
BCOM Business Day t.
F2i is the closing level in USD of the Bloomberg Commodity Index 2 Month ForwardSM on the
most recent Rebalancing Day i prior to BCOM Business Day t.
F4t is the closing level in USD of the Bloomberg Commodity Index 4 Month ForwardSM on
BCOM Business Day t.
F4i is the closing level in USD of the Bloomberg Commodity Index 4 Month ForwardSM on the
most recent Rebalancing Day i prior to BCOM Business Day t.
F6t is the closing level in USD of the Bloomberg Commodity Index 6 Month ForwardSM on
BCOM Business Day t.
F6i is the closing level in USD of the Bloomberg Commodity Index 6 Month ForwardSM on the
most recent Rebalancing Day i prior to BCOM Business Day t.
Input prices for the F2, F4 and F6 are rounded to eight decimals.
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The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Bloomberg Commodity Index 2–4–6 Forward Blend Total ReturnSM is calculated according to the following
formula:
Where:
2-4-6 BlendTRi is the closing level on the most recent Rebalancing Day i prior to BCOM Business
Day t.
3MR is the most recent weekly auction High Rate for 13 week (3 Month) U.S. Treasury Bills, as
reported on the website http://www.treasurydirect.gov/instit/annceresult/annceresult.htm published
by the Bureau of the Public Debt of the U.S. Treasury, or any successor page, on such Business
Day d, provided, that if such auction High Rate is published on such Business Day d, TBill(d-1)
shall be the rate published for the most recent previous auction.
TBD = Treasury Bill Daily Return.
DAYS = Number of calendar days from and including the prior Calculation Date to but excluding
the current Calculation Date.
Calculation Date = date for which calculation is made.
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The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Settlement Indices are variations of the Bloomberg Commodity Indices
for which an exchange settlement price on each Business Day is adjusted in the event of a Market
Disruption Event. The indices are not official settlement prices for financial instruments but can be used as
a guideline for pricing a BCOM Index Level when a market disruption event occurs.
To determine the BCOM Settlement Index Levels, BISL shall utilize (i) the final settlement prices for those
futures included in the applicable Settlement Indices that are not subject to a Market Disruption Event on
such Business Day, and (ii) for a futures contract that is subject to a Market Disruption Event on such
Business Day, the final settlement price on the next available relevant Business Day on which a Market
Disruption Event is no longer continuing for such futures contract. If a Market Disruption Event does not
occur the BCOM Settlement Index level will equal the Bloomberg Commodity Index level.
In addition to the adjustments above, the Bloomberg Settlement Indices are subject to the other
adjustments set forth in Section 3.3 in respect of Market Disruption Events.
The current names and Bloomberg tickers of the published Settlement Indices are set out below.
The Bloomberg Commodity Capped Index families are UCITS compliant while maintaining continuity and
proportion to the Bloomberg Commodity Index component weights. The Capped ex-Agriculture and Livestock
Indices, defined below, are versions of the Bloomberg Commodity ex-Agriculture and Livestock Index and
Bloomberg Commodity ex-Agriculture and Livestock Total Return Index (BCOMXAL and BCOMXALT). The
composition is derived from BCOM excluding the commodities within the “Grains”, “Softs” (i.e. agriculture) and
“Livestock” commodity groups defined in section 2.2(3) (“Commodity Groups”). The aim of the Capped ex-
Agriculture and Livestock Indices is to cap the weight of the larger components within the index based on the
rules described below. Historically, and currently, the largest component has been Petroleum. BISL maintains
two weighting variations of capping for the Capped ex-Agriculture and Livestock Indices:
• Bloomberg ex-Agriculture and Livestock 15/30 Capped Index Family (the “15/30 Index Family”)
• Bloomberg ex-Agriculture and Livestock 20/30 Capped Index Family (the “20/30 Index Family”)
The capping is done on the 4th business day of each month. Prior to the launch of the Bloomberg ex-
Agriculture and Livestock 20/30 Capped Index (BBUXALC) in July of 2013, the CIMs were calculated on the
last business day of each month. All other BCOM ex- Agriculture and Livestock Capped Indices developed
by Bloomberg CIMs were calculated on the 4th business day of each month.
The forward (longer dated) versions of the Capped ex-Agriculture and Livestock Indices refer to the longer
dated commodity futures contracts described in Appendix J: Calculation of the Forward Month BCOM.
Step 1: Initial weights are extracted from the Bloomberg Commodity Index excluding the commodities
within the “Grains”, “Softs” (i.e. agriculture) and “Livestock” commodity groups defined in section 2.2(3)
(“Commodity Groups”).
On the fourth business day of each month, the index weights are derived from taking the relevant commodity
futures contracts using the BCOM (CIMs) and settlement prices. This is the same process as is followed for the
non-capped Bloomberg Commodity ex-Agriculture and Livestock Index and Bloomberg Commodity ex-
Agriculture and Livestock Total Return Index (BCOMXAL and BCOMXALT).
Implementation: The target weights determined above are used to calculate modified CIMs using the Next
Contract prices. The modified CIMs are implemented during the monthly roll based on the standard practice
for BCOM (see section 2.7).
Components: In the Bloomberg Commodity Index (BCOM), there are 17 components, with three containing
88
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
more than one commodity based on their similarity (see table below). The 3 components with multiple
commodities are as follows:
• Petroleum: WTI Crude Oil, Brent Crude Oil, RBOB Gasoline, Low Sulphur Gasoil and ULS Diesel
• Wheat: Soft Red Winter Wheat (Chicago) and Hard Red Winter Wheat (KC HRW)
• Soybean Complex: Soybeans, and Soybean Meal
Annual correlation testing among commodities is preformed prior to the annual rebalance. The index is
rebalanced each year pursuant to any changes to BCOM, and commodities are added or excluded
accordingly.
89
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
90
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Bloomberg ex-Agriculture and Livestock 20/30 Capped EUR Total Return Index BBEXALCT
15/30 Index Family names and codes are as follows:
Bloomberg
Index Name
Ticker
91
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
The Bloomberg Single Commodity Capped Subindices of the Bloomberg Commodity Index intend to be
compliant with ESMA/UCITS guidelines while maintaining the diversification of the Bloomberg Commodity
Index component weights.
The methodology supplement for the Bloomberg Single Commodity Capped Subindices uses various terms
and definitions from the Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology. Where not specifically noted otherwise
in this document, the rules of the Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology prevail.
The namesake commodity is the commodity bearing the name of the Bloomberg Single Commodity
Subindex Capped. For example, Gold is the namesake commodity for the Bloomberg Gold Subindex
Capped. In general, any Bloomberg Single Commodity Subindex Capped consists of the namesake
commodity as well as most of the rest of the Bloomberg Commodity Index commodities, subject to the
Rule of Exclusion regarding commodities that belong to a given component.
The Rule of Exclusion states that when any commodity that belongs to a component is the namesake
commodity of the index, all other commodities of that same component are excluded in that particular single
commodity index. For instance, for the Bloomberg WTI Crude Oil Subindex Capped, the four remaining
commodities (Brent Crude Oil, Ultra-low Sulfur Diesel, Low Sulphur Diesel and Unleaded Gasoline) of the
Petroleum Component are not included in the index.
The weighting scheme of the Bloomberg Single Commodity Subindex Capped is as follows: in every
Bloomberg Single Commodity Subindex Capped, each namesake commodity is allocated 35% at each
rebalance, with the remaining 65% distributed among the eligible BCOM commodities according to the
weights derived from the CIMs of BCOM, subject to the Rule of Exclusion. During the January rebalance the
new CIMs are applied to calculate the weights for BCOM. In addition to the 35% cap on the namesake
commodity, the weights of the remaining components are reviewed. If the weight of any remaining
component exceeds 20%, its weight is reduced to 20% and any excess weight is distributed pro-rata across
all commodities with a weight under 20%. This step is repeated until the weight of each remaining
component does not exceed 20%. The effective weights are the weights for each commodity on the
determination date with the exception of the January rebalance where the weights are based on the new
Commodity Index Percentages.
The design of the Bloomberg Single Commodity Subindex Capped family intends to comply with the current
ESMA/UCITS guidelines, as the weights are balanced on a quarterly basis. In essence, each single
commodity subindex consists of a basket of individual Bloomberg Single Commodity Subindices, not just
one single individual commodity.
92
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
93
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
BISL offers leveraged and inverse indices on select Bloomberg Commodity Indices (BCOM). The
indices are calculated using a defined leverage or inverse factor. The Leveraged Indices aim to capture
two times the daily return of underlying BCOM Indices and the Inverse indices aim to capture the
inverse daily return.
The level of the Index t will be determined in accordance with the following formula each BCOM Index Business
Day;
𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵_𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑡𝑡
𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝑡𝑡 = 𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝑟𝑟 × �1 + (𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹 × � − 1�)�
𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵_𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑟𝑟
Where:
r is the Rebalancing Date, if BCOM Index Business Day t , then r is the Rebalancing Date immediately prior to
Index Business Day t.
Underlying Index is the Index Level of the Bloomberg Commodity namesake index
Total Return Leveraged and Inverse calculations refer to Section 3.2 using steps 1 through 3.
BCOM headline Leveraged and Inverse indices start with a base Index Level of 100, BCOM single commodity
leveraged and inverse indices start with a base Index Level of 10,000.
94
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Bloomberg
Index Name
Ticker
95
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
The Bloomberg EU carbon allowances tracker provides exposure to the European Emissions Trading
System, the largest carbon market in the world in 2023.
A custom roll schedule is implemented to source maximum liquidity; an annual roll takes place over the
last 5 days of November into the first 5 days of December, shifting allocation from the prompt December
contract to the next.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Commodity
(F) (G) (H) (J) (K) (M) (N) (Q) (U) (V) (X) (Z)
EUA Futures Dec Dec Dec Dec Dec Dec Dec Dec Dec Dec Dec Dec(*)
(*) denotes the following year.
Roll Projections:
Day
Date Prompt Next
Offset
-5 2021/11/23 90% 10%
-4 2021/11/24 80% 20%
-3 2021/11/26 70% 30%
-2 2021/11/29 60% 40%
-1 2021/11/30 50% 50%
1 2021/12/01 40% 60%
2 2021/12/02 30% 70%
3 2021/12/03 20% 80%
4 2021/12/06 10% 90%
5 2021/12/07 0% 100%
Definitions:
Calculation Date = date for which calculation is made
BCOMMOEt = BCOMMOE value on the Calculation Date
BCOMMOETt = BCOMMOET value on the Calculation Date
96
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝑡𝑡 𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷
𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝑡𝑡 = 𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝑡𝑡−1 × � + × (ESTRONt + 𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 − 0.001)�
𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝑡𝑡−1 𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷
𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭−𝟏𝟏
� × �𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐭𝐭�𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁
𝒕𝒕−𝟏𝟏
𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐭𝐭 = 𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐭𝐭 − 𝟏𝟏 × �𝟏𝟏 + � − 𝟏𝟏��
𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭−𝟏𝟏
𝒕𝒕
𝐭𝐭 − 𝟏𝟏
𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩𝒕𝒕
𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐭𝐭 = 𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐁𝐭𝐭 − 𝟏𝟏 × � + 𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝒕𝒕 �
𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩𝒕𝒕−𝟏𝟏
97
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Family is rules-based, and its construction is designed to consistently produce
index levels without the exercise of discretion. BCOM Indices are produced without the interpolation or extrapolation
of input data.
In addition, the Index Administrator seeks to avoid contributions of input data that may be subject to the discretion
of the source of such data and instead uses input data from regulated exchanges. Accordingly, the Indices require
no ‘contributors’ to produce and no codes of conduct with any such sources are required.
Please refer to the “Benchmark and Methodology Launch and Changes” section in BISL Benchmark Procedures
Handbook available here. Cessation Policy
Please refer to the “Cessation Policy” section in BISL Benchmark Procedures Handbook available here
BISL strives to provide accurate calculation of its indices. However, to the extent a material error in index values is
uncovered following publication and dissemination, a notification will be sent to index users alerting them of such
error and the expected date of a revised publication, if warranted.
BISL considers the following factors to determine whether to restate. Not all conditions need to be present to
warrant a restatement, and certain factors may be more determinative that others depending on the circumstances
of the given error.
The relative importance of the data field impacted by the error;
98
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
In the event an Exchange delays the pricing of future settlements pertaining to the Bloomberg Commodity Index
Family, BISL will delay the posting of BCOM Index Levels to vendors and the delivery of end-of-day ftp files.
BISL will notify clients via an index announcement if the files will be delayed after 5PM EST.
On the occasion when an Exchange amends the settlement price of a contract used in the Bloomberg Commodity
Index family prior to 7 PM EST, BISL will send an index announcement within 30 minutes of the discovery to
inform all clients of the correction. BISL will then recalculate, republish, and redistribute the daily BCOM end-of
day files along with a follow-up index announcement.
Dividends and coupon payments play no role in this Methodology, and are therefore not accounted for by the
Index.
Expert Judgment
Please refer to the “Expert Judgment and Discretion” section in BISL Benchmark Procedures Handbook
available here for details.
Stress Events
In the event of an unforeseen market event whereby the commodity market is unexpectedly closed, the prior
day’s values will be used for underlying futures contracts.
Index Compliance
To request a copy of the Bloomberg Indices complaints policy or to submit a complaint regarding a Bloomberg
index or index determination, please send a correspondence to idxcomplaint@bloomberg.net or to the following
postal address:
99
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
All such correspondence will be monitored by a member of the Bloomberg, L.P. compliance team.
100
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
June Appendix I: Updated to include the addition of the Danish krone for the Calculation of Daily Currency
2023 Hedged Indices.
Tables were updated to reflect the announcement of the 2023 Target Weights and Commodity Index
March
2023
Multipliers (CIMs). Update to Benchmark Governance, Audit and Review Structure
Feb Appendix S was added to address the newly launched BCOM EU Allowances Tracker; Table 9 was
2023 amended accordingly. Former Appendix S became Appendix T
Jan Tables were updated to reflect the announcement of the 2022 Target Weights and Commodity Index
2022 Multipliers (CIMs).
Oct Appendix I: Effective October 29, 2021, the EONIA was replaced with the euro short-term rate €STR
2021 + 8.5 bps for the calculation of all BCOM EUR daily-hedged total return indices.
Jan Tables were updated to reflect the announcement of the 2021 Target Weights and Commodity Index
2021 Multipliers (CIMs).
Nov Appendix O & P: Effective January 2, 2021, Low Sulpfur Gas Oil become part of the petroleum
2020 complex for capped indices.
Jan Tables were updated to reflect the announcement of the 2020 Target Weights and Commodity Index
2020 Multipliers (CIMs).
Jan Tables were updated to reflect the announcement of the 2019 Target Weights and Commodity Index
2019 Multipliers (CIMs).
The index methodology and tables were updated to reflect the announcement of the 2019 Target
Dec Weights with the inclusion of Low Sulphur Gas Oil. Appendix S (Bloomberg Commodity Index Policies
2018 and Procedures) was updated to include additional language pertaining to index data and reviews,
limitations of the index, and administrator transparency.
Appendix I: Effective January 2, 2018, the TOIS fixing was replaced with the SARON (Swiss Average
Jan Rate Overnight) fixing for the calculation of all BCOM Swiss franc daily-hedged total return indices.
2018 Tables were updated to reflect the announcement of the 2018 Target Weights and Commodity Index
Multipliers (CIMs).
Section 2.3 & Section 2.4: The calendar year cycle for price and volume used to calculate the
Oct Commodity Liquidity Percentages (CLP) and Commodity Production Percentages (CPP) will change
2017 to August-July from January-December. Section 2.4: The source for world sugar production changed
to the USDA Sugar and Sweeteners Yearbook from the ISO Sugar Yearbook.
Appendix R (‘Bloomberg Commodity Index Policies and Procedures’) became Appendix S. The new
Appendix R ('Calculation of the Bloomberg Commodity Leveraged and Inverse Indices') was added to
Jul reflect the 22 June 2017 launch of the Bloomberg Leveraged and Inverse Indices. Appendix O
2017 ('Calculation of the Bloomberg ex-Ag & Livestock Capped Indices') 15/30 Index Family names and
codes were updated to reflect the 6 July 2017 launch of the Bloomberg ex-Agriculture & Livestock
15/30 Capped Forward Indices.
Appendix O ('Calculation of the Bloomberg ex-Ag & Livestock Capped Indices') was updated to reflect
May the 28 April 2017 launch of the Bloomberg ex-Agriculture & Livestock 15/30 Capped 3 Month Forward
2017 Index. On 12 May 2017, the name of the 'Bloomberg Commodity ex-Agriculture & Livestock Capped
Index' was changed to 'Bloomberg ex-Agriculture and Livestock 20/30 Capped Index'.
Appendix H ('Individual Subindex Calculations') and Table 9 ('Bloomberg Commodity Index Contract
Calendar') were updated to include Palladium and reflect the 31 March 2017 launch of the Palladium
Apr
2017
Subindex. Appendix O ('Calculation of the Bloomberg ex-Ag & Livestock Capped Indices') was
updated with new index family names and tickers to reflect the 3 April 2017 launch of the BCOM ex-
Agriculture & Livestock Capped Forward Indices.
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The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
EXPLANATION OF HOW ESG FACTORS ARE REFLECTED IN THE KEY ELEMENTS OF THE
BENCHMARK METHODOLOGY
Item 1. Name of the benchmark administrator. Bloomberg Index Services
Limited (“BISL”)
Item 2. Type of benchmark or family of benchmarks. Other
Item 3. Name of the benchmark or family of benchmarks. Bloomberg Commodity
Index Family
Item 4. Does the benchmark methodology for the benchmark or No
family of benchmarks take into account ESG factors?
Item 5. Where the response to Item 4 is positive, please list below, for each family of benchmarks,
those ESG factors that are taken into account in the benchmark methodology, taking into account the
ESG factors listed in Annex II to Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/1816.
Please explain how those ESG factors are used for the selection, weighting or exclusion of
underlying assets.
The ESG factors shall be disclosed at an aggregated weighted average value at the level of the
family of benchmarks.
Not applicable
102
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
103
The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
INDEX <GO>
https://www.bloomberg.com/professional/product/indices/
“Bloomberg®”, “The Bloomberg Commodity Index” and “BCOM” are service marks of Bloomberg Finance L.P. and its affiliates, including Bloomberg Index
Services Limited (“BISL”), the administrator of the indices (collectively, “Bloomberg”). Bloomberg and/or Bloomberg's licensors own all proprietary rights
in the Indices. Bloomberg does not guarantee the timeliness, accuracy or completeness of any data or information relating to the Indices. Bloomberg
makes no warranty, express or implied, as to the Indices or any data or values relating thereto or results to be obtained therefrom, and expressly
disclaims all warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose with respect thereto. It is not possible to invest directly in an Index. Back-
tested performance is not actual performance. Past performance is not an indication of future results. To the maximum extent allowed by law,
Bloomberg, its licensors, and its and their respective employees, contractors, agents, suppliers and vendors shall have no liability or responsibility
whatsoever for any injury or damages - whether direct, indirect, consequential, incidental, punitive or otherwise - arising in connection with the Indices
or any data or values relating thereto - whether arising from their negligence or otherwise. This document constitutes the provision of factual
information, rather than financial product advice. Nothing in the Indices shall constitute or be construed as an offering of financial instruments or as
investment advice or investment recommendations (i.e., recommendations as to whether or not to “buy”, “sell”, “hold”, or to enter or not to enter into
any other transaction involving any specific interest or interests) by Bloomberg or a recommendation as to an investment or other strategy by
Bloomberg. Data and other information available via the Indices should not be considered as information sufficient upon which to base an investment
decision. All information provided by the Indices is impersonal and not tailored to the needs of any person, entity or group of persons. Bloomberg does
not express an opinion on the future or expected value of any security or other interest and do not explicitly or implicitly recommend or suggest an
investment strategy of any kind. Customers should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.
© 2023 Bloomberg. All rights reserved. This document and its contents may not be forwarded or redistributed without the prior consent of Bloomberg.
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except (i) in Argentina, Australia and certain jurisdictions in the Pacific islands, Bermuda, China, India, Japan, Korea and New Zealand, where
Bloomberg L.P. and its subsidiaries distribute these products, and (ii) in Singapore and the jurisdictions serviced by Bloomberg’s Singapore office, where
a subsidiary of BFLP distributes these products.
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The Bloomberg Commodity Index Methodology
105