Commodity derivatives have become one of India’s most dynamic trading segments, especially on exchanges like MCX. It’s important to understand commodity derivatives and the right way to trade in them.

Commodity derivatives are financial contracts linked to the price of physical commodities such as gold, crude oil, natural gas, silver, copper, and agricultural products. One doesn’t need to buy the actual gold bar or a barrel of oil, instead, they can trade futures contracts, where one agrees to buy or sell a commodity at a future date and price. These instruments help traders benefit from price movements without handling the physical commodity, making them popular for hedging and short-term trading.

In today’s fast, technology-led markets, a new-age trader must be informed, disciplined, and process-driven. Here are the five best practices every modern commodity trader should follow.

1. Understand What Moves Commodity Prices

Commodity markets react quickly to global and domestic triggers. A new-age trader must know the key factors that influence prices:

• Global cues: Movement of the US dollar, geopolitical tensions, and inflation trends can make commodities like gold or crude oil rise or fall. For example: A rising dollar often pushes gold prices down, making it important for traders to track the currency.
• Domestic factors: Import/export numbers, monsoon forecasts, and government policy changes can move agri-commodities significantly. For example: A poor monsoon forecast may lift prices of crops like cotton or soybean.
• Exchange margin updates: During high volatility, exchanges may increase margins. Traders who are unaware may face forced square-off.

Understanding these fundamentals helps traders avoid panic reactions and make informed decisions based on data and not emotions.

2. Trade with a Defined System

Random trading is the fastest way to lose money. A new-age trader follows a well-defined trading system that includes:

• Clear entry signals (like a breakout, trend change, or fundamental cue)
• A pre-decided stop-loss to limit damage
• A realistic target based on volatility
• Position sizing rules to protect capital

Back-testing strategies on historical MCX charts helps understand how the system might perform in real markets.

3. Put Risk Management Before Profit Chasing

In commodity trading, staying in the game matters more than making a quick profit. Prices in markets like crude oil, natural gas, and metals can swing wildly, and one bad trade can drain your capital if you’re not careful.

A disciplined trader:

• Risks only a small fraction of their total capital on each trade
• Keeps a margin buffer to avoid forced RMS square-offs during sudden volatility
• Steers clear of over-leveraging, no matter how tempting the opportunity looks

Example:

If you have ₹1,00,000 in your trading account, putting ₹20,000 at risk on a single gold futures trade is extremely risky. A smart new-age trader limits risk to just 1–2% of capital (₹1,000–₹2,000). This approach protects your account during bad phases and ensures you can continue trading for the long run.

4. Use Technology to Stay Ahead

Modern traders use technology to remove emotional errors and improve precision.

• Real-time data dashboards help track price movements instantly.
• Automated alerts notify you of breakouts, margin changes, or global news.
• Algo or semi-auto systems help execute trades faster and more consistently.

Example: Setting an automated alert for crude oil at a key support level saves you from staring at the screen all day and allows faster reaction when the price hits your level.

5. Stay Updated on Contracts and Regulations

Commodity traders must know the rules of the game:

• Lot sizes, contract specifications, and expiry dates
• Position limits for traders and clients
• Intraday square-off timings, especially for MIS/BO/CO orders
• Margin changes announced by MCX during volatility

Lack of awareness can lead to penalties, forced exits, or unintended losses.

Example: If you forget that a contract is nearing expiry, you may be forced to roll over at a poor price or risk physical delivery obligations.

Conclusion

A successful new-age commodity derivatives trader combines market knowledge, rule-based trading, strict risk control, smart use of technology, and strong regulatory awareness. In a market where price swings are sharp and margins change frequently, discipline and capital preservation are the real competitive edge. By following these five practices, traders can navigate volatility confidently and build long-term success in commodity markets.

(The author is Head of Commodities Retail Business, Kotak Securities Ltd.)

Quant Small Cap Fund, the largest fund managed by Sandeep Tandon-led Quant Mutual Fund, has added HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and five other stocks in February. In the same time period, the small cap fund reduced its stake in Jio Financial Services and three other stocks.

In the month of February, the small cap fund added 73.85 lakh shares of Manappuram Finance, 42.65 lakh shares of ICICI Bank, and 13.95 lakh shares of HDFC Bank to its portfolio as new entrants.

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The other new entrants in the portfolio were Aurobindo Pharma, Emami, One Source Specialty Pharma, and Sudeep Pharma.

The stake was reduced in four stocks. The fund sold 2.95 crore shares of Jio Financial Services from the portfolio, taking the total share count to 3.08 crore in February versus 6.04 crore in January.

The other three stocks from which exposure was reduced were Aegis Logistics, BASF India, and Minda Corporation.
The small cap fund increased its stake in four stocks in the month of February, which included Black Box, Capri Global Capital, Marathon Nextgen Realty, and Ventive Hospitality. Among these four stocks, the maximum number of shares added to the portfolio were of Capri Global Capital, around 15.08 lakh.
A complete exit was made from Stanley Lifestyles in February by selling 6.72 lakh shares from its portfolio worth a market value of Rs 12.35 crore. The exposure in 85 stocks remained unchanged, which included some stocks such as Adani Green Energy, Adani Power, Anand Rathi Wealth, Aster DM Healthcare, Bata India, Castrol India, Gland Pharma, Just Dial, RBL Bank, Reliance Industries, and Sula Vineyards.
In February, the fund had 100 stocks in its portfolio compared to 94 stocks in the January portfolio. The fund had an AUM of Rs 27,654 crore as of February 27, 2026. The performance of the fund is benchmarked against NIFTY SMALLCAP 250 TRI and is managed by Sandeep Tandon, Ankit Pande, Varun Pattani, Ayusha Kumbhat, Yug Tibrewal, Sameer Kate, and Sanjeev Sharma.

The primary investment objective of the scheme is to seek to generate capital appreciation and provide long-term growth opportunities by investing in a portfolio of small cap companies.

According to the monthly release by the fund house, this scheme is for investors with a long-term investment horizon and a high risk appetite. The bulk of the portfolio is invested in high growth companies with attractive valuations and is relatively under-owned.

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During the month, the fund increased exposure towards healthcare companies and cut exposure to financial services and O&G, the release said.

“Our orientation towards maximising the mix of large caps over the last year in the portfolio is a reflection of our defensive view of the market. This has helped us increase the liquidity of the portfolio and mitigate the effects of high impact costs. As a result, drawdowns have been contained compared to the meltdown in the broader market,” the fund house said.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

If you have any mutual fund queries, message ET Mutual Funds on Facebook or Twitter. We will get it answered by our panel of experts. Do share your questions on ETMFqueries@timesinternet.in along with your age, risk profile, and Twitter handle.

MELBOURNE, Australia — The 2026 Formula 1 season roars to life this weekend with the Qatar Airways Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park Circuit, kicking off a 24-race calendar that promises high drama, new regulations and fierce competition. As Max Verstappen seeks redemption after early-season struggles, fans worldwide are eager to tune in for the action-packed weekend of March 6-8, featuring practice, qualifying and the main race.

With the event starting early for many time zones—practice sessions begin Friday, March 6, and the race runs Sunday, March 8 at 3 p.m. local time (4 a.m. GMT, 11 p.m. ET Saturday)—viewers need reliable options to catch every lap live. Broadcast rights vary by region, but streaming platforms dominate access, especially in the U.S. where Apple TV holds exclusive rights. Here’s the complete guide to watching the Australian Grand Prix live in 2026.

Event Schedule (All Times Local AEDT Unless Noted)

The weekend follows the standard format without a Sprint race:

• Friday, March 6 Free Practice 1: 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Free Practice 2: 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Saturday, March 7 Free Practice 3: 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Qualifying: 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, March 8 Race: 3:00 p.m. (57 laps, approximately 1 hour 45 minutes)

Global start times adjust for time zones: race at 4 a.m. GMT (UK), 11 p.m. ET Saturday (U.S. East Coast), 8 p.m. PT Saturday (U.S. West Coast). Check local listings for exact broadcast times.

Where to Watch in the United States

Apple TV became the exclusive U.S. broadcaster for Formula 1 in 2026 under a five-year deal, replacing ESPN. All sessions—practice, qualifying, race, plus pre- and post-race shows—are available live and on-demand via the Apple TV app or tv.apple.com.

• Subscription: Apple TV costs $12.99/month (or $99/year), with a seven-day free trial for new subscribers. F1 TV Premium is now included free with Apple TV in the U.S., delivering 4K Ultra HD/HDR, multiview (up to 26 feeds), onboard cameras, team radios and personalized views.
• Devices: Stream on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV 4K, Apple Vision Pro, smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL), Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast with Google TV, PlayStation, Xbox and more.
• Access: Log in with Apple ID; new users get a trial. Eligible buyers of new Apple devices may receive three months free.
• Commentary: F1 TV team leads English coverage, with international feeds available.

This shift streamlines access but requires an Apple TV subscription—cord-cutters no longer have ESPN options for F1.

Where to Watch in the United Kingdom

Sky Sports retains exclusive rights, with full coverage on Sky Sports F1 (and Main Event for select sessions). Highlights air free-to-air on Channel 4 post-race.

• Live: Sky Sports F1 from early build-up (e.g., 2:30 a.m. GMT Sunday for race).
• Streaming: Sky Go app for subscribers; Now TV offers flexible passes starting £14.99 for sports.
• Free: Channel 4 for race highlights.

Where to Watch in Australia (Host Country)

Free-to-air coverage on Network 10 and 10 Play makes it accessible nationwide.

• TV: Network 10 broadcasts key sessions live.
• Streaming: 10 Play (free, with English commentary) streams every session live and on-demand.
• Paid: Fox Sports and Kayo Sports offer premium HD/multi-view options.

International and Global Streaming Options

F1 TV remains available in most territories (excluding restricted markets like the U.S. for premium features).

• F1 TV Pro/Premium: $10.99/month or $84.99/year for onboard cameras, team radio, multiview and 4K. Stream on web, iOS, Android, smart TVs, Roku, Chromecast, etc.
• Free Options: In select countries (e.g., Austria’s ServusTV, Belgium’s RTBF, Luxembourg’s RTL Zwee), free broadcasts exist. Use a VPN to access Australian 10 Play for free English streams (connect to AU server via NordVPN or ExpressVPN).
• Other Regions: Check Formula1.com’s broadcast guide for local channels (e.g., ESPN Latin America, ServusTV Austria).

Tips for Best Viewing Experience

• VPN for Access: If traveling or in a restricted area, a VPN unlocks free streams (e.g., 10 Play) or international feeds. Reliable options include NordVPN and ExpressVPN.
• F1 TV Premium Perks: Multiview, 4K HDR and driver-specific cameras enhance immersion.
• Mobile/Tablet: Apple TV app and 10 Play work seamlessly on iOS/Android.
• On-Demand: Missed a session? Replays available on Apple TV (U.S.) or F1 TV.

The Australian Grand Prix launches the 2026 season with intrigue—Verstappen’s Red Bull faces Mercedes and Ferrari challenges under new active aero rules. Whether streaming on Apple TV in the U.S., Sky Sports in the UK, or free on 10 Play in Australia, fans have multiple ways to watch every moment.

Tune in starting Friday for practice; the lights go out Sunday at Albert Park for a thrilling opener. Check official F1.com or local providers for updates, as schedules and rights can shift.

Women continue to remain underrepresented at the top levels of Corporate India despite gradual progress in boardroom diversity, according to a new report released by Primeinfobase.com ahead of International Women’s Day.

The report shows that while women account for 23% of employees in listed companies, their representation steadily declines as one moves up the corporate hierarchy. Women make up only 14% of Key Management Personnel (KMPs), 10% of executive directors and just 5% of managing directors or chief executive officers.

According to Pranav Haldea, Managing Director at PRIME Database Group, the data reflects a classic “leaky bucket” phenomenon, where women gradually drop out of the leadership pipeline. He said there is an urgent need for policies and supportive practices to ensure women do not have to leave the workforce mid-career due to childcare and other caregiving responsibilities.

At the board level, representation has improved over time. As of February 23, 2026, about 98% of the 2,285 companies listed on the NSE main board had at least one woman director, compared with 97% a year earlier. Among the 48 companies that still do not have a woman director, 20 are public sector undertakings.

Overall, 2,898 women currently hold 3,738 directorship positions, accounting for 21% of all board seats. This marks a rise from 18% in March 2021 and just 5% in March 2014, when the requirement to appoint at least one woman director on boards was first announced. Haldea noted that regulation played a significant role in improving board representation. However, the pace of progress has slowed after companies largely complied with the regulatory mandate. He also pointed out that when the rule was introduced in 2014, many firms appointed women relatives of promoters or individuals known to them, which diluted the objective of gender diversity.

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Even so, the number of companies with two or more women directors has increased from 35% in March 2021 to 47% currently. Around 88% of companies now have at least one independent woman director, while those with two or more women independent directors have risen from 10% to 21% during the same period.
Women hold 28% of independent directorship positions but only 10% of executive directorships. At the very top, representation remains particularly limited. Just 119 companies, or 5% of the total, have a woman MD or CEO. Among the 130 women heading these companies, about 69% belong to the promoter group, highlighting the limited presence of professional women leaders outside promoter families.
Women also remain scarce in other senior roles. Outside promoter groups, professional executive women directors account for only 7% of such positions. Meanwhile, only 6% of companies have a woman chairperson, with nearly half of them from promoter groups.

The report also highlights a significant gender gap in pay. The median remuneration of male executive directors stood at Rs 120 lakh in FY25, about 74% higher than Rs 69 lakh for women. Among non-promoter executive directors, the gap is even wider, with men earning a median of Rs 104 lakh compared with Rs 43 lakh for women. Male KMPs earned about 77% more than women on average, while the median pay for male employees was 34% higher. Among workers, the gap widened further, with men earning 86% more than women.

Interestingly, the trend reverses for independent directors, where women earn slightly more. The median remuneration for women independent directors was Rs 4.90 lakh compared with Rs 4.80 lakh for men.

Sectorally, women directors had the highest representation in diversified, healthcare and IT companies at 23%, while energy had the lowest share at 17%. Among employees and workers, IT recorded the highest female participation, while commodities, industrials and utilities sectors reported the lowest levels.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times.)

After a decade of fan petitions, online campaigns and persistent calls for more official content from the beloved animated series Gravity Falls, Disney has announced The Art of Gravity Falls, an official art book set to release on September 15, 2026. The 256-page hardcover, co-authored by series creator Alex Hirsch and co-writer Rob Renzetti, promises to unlock the creative vault with never-before-seen development art, early character designs, unused ideas, storyboards, easter eggs and commentary from the show’s artists and team.

The announcement, which surfaced in early March 2026 via Disney Books and Hirsch’s social media, marks a major win for the dedicated fanbase that has kept the show’s legacy alive long after its 2016 finale. Fans had long demanded an art book—petitions on Change.org dating back years urged Disney to approve a project similar to those for other Disney properties, arguing the series’ intricate visual style and hidden details deserved a comprehensive visual history. Hirsch himself referenced a canceled 2020 art book deal with Dark Horse, fueling speculation that Disney’s hesitation stemmed from concerns over demand. The new release through Hyperion Avenue proves those worries unfounded.

For years, the true origins of Gravity Falls have been hidden under lock and key. Now, for the first time ever, Hirsch and Renzetti crack open the vault to reveal the definitive visual history of the series. Inside the book, readers will find never-before-revealed development art from Hirsch’s personal archives, including first inklings of Dipper and Mabel Pines, concept art of the strange town of Gravity Falls, storyboards from memorable episodes, every single one of Mabel’s sweaters, lost episode ideas, cut jokes, deviously hidden easter eggs, and much more.

A foreword by animation legend James Baxter adds prestige, while interviews with the creative team provide behind-the-scenes insights into how the show’s unique blend of humor, mystery and heartfelt family moments came together. The cover art, featuring iconic elements like the Mystery Shack and Bill Cipher, has already drawn praise on social media for its nostalgic yet fresh design.

Pre-orders opened immediately on sites like Disney Books, Barnes & Noble (with an exclusive edition), Target and Amazon. Fans quickly flooded comment sections with excitement, many noting the timing aligns perfectly with the show’s enduring popularity on Disney+ and the recent success of related books like The Book of Bill (2024), which became a bestseller and expanded the lore through Bill Cipher’s chaotic perspective.

Gravity Falls premiered on Disney Channel in 2012 and concluded its two-season run in 2016, earning critical acclaim for its clever writing, intricate puzzles and emotional depth. The series followed twins Dipper and Mabel Pines as they uncovered supernatural secrets in the quirky Oregon town with their great-uncle Stan. Hirsch’s commitment to ending the show on his terms—rather than dragging it out—left fans satisfied but hungry for more. Subsequent releases like Journal 3 (2016), Lost Legends graphic novel (2018) and The Book of Bill kept the universe alive, but an official art book remained the most-requested item.

The announcement arrives amid renewed interest in Disney’s animated catalog. Gravity Falls consistently ranks high on streaming charts, with new viewers discovering the series through word-of-mouth and algorithmic recommendations. The book’s release also coincides with other Disney animation tie-ins, including a graphic novel from The Owl House later in September 2026, signaling the studio’s investment in celebrating its modern classics.

Hirsch, who voices multiple characters including Stan and Soos, has been vocal about the project’s significance. In promotional posts, he emphasized the book’s authenticity—no AI-generated content, just pure hand-drawn art and creator commentary. Collaborators like cover artist Iworrel and video creator Louie Zong contributed to teasers, building hype with behind-the-scenes glimpses and music from composer Brad Breeck.

Fans have already begun decoding potential hidden messages in promotional images, a tradition rooted in the show’s cipher-heavy episodes. Social media overflowed with reactions: “This is the closure we’ve been waiting for,” one X user wrote, while another posted, “Mabel’s sweaters alone are worth the price.” Pre-order numbers are expected to be strong, given the series’ dedicated community and the success of previous tie-in books.

The 256-page (or 252 in some listings) volume positions itself as the ultimate companion for fans, offering a deep dive into the visual development that made Gravity Falls stand out. It includes early concepts that evolved into fan-favorite elements, scrapped ideas that could have changed episodes, and annotations explaining artistic choices behind the show’s distinctive style.

For longtime enthusiasts, the book serves as both celebration and archive, preserving the creative process behind a series that influenced modern animation with its mystery-box storytelling and emotional core. Newer fans, drawn in by streaming, will gain appreciation for the meticulous world-building that rewarded close viewing.

Disney has not announced additional events like signings or panels tied to the release, but given Hirsch’s convention history, appearances at events like New York Comic Con or San Diego Comic-Con later in 2026 seem likely. The book arrives just over 10 years after the finale, providing a timely milestone for reflection.

As pre-orders climb and fan excitement builds, The Art of Gravity Falls stands as proof that the show’s mysteries—and its devoted audience—continue to thrive. Whether decoding new easter eggs or revisiting old favorites, fans will finally get an official peek behind the curtain of one of Disney’s most cherished animated gems.