In fact, the income derived from habit and hype may be a safer bet, since love is a risky and volatile commodity.

Why do people recommend investing in volatile single commodities such as gold, which pay no coupon, in what could be just another bubble?

Mr. Chávez's prominent position will continue to depend, of course, on the price of oil, the volatile commodity at the heart of Venezuela's economy.

A sharp decline in the price of natural gas, an extremely volatile commodity, would sour the outlook for more deals.

Money was the least volatile commodity traded by Salomon Brothers and therefore the least risky.

The economies are weak because of heavy dependence on volatile commodities, like coffee and tea, for exports; rapidly growing populations, and very little investment.

The bonding market: mother love has always been a volatile commodity.

While gold may be a traditional hedge against sustained uncertainty or the possibility of calamity, caution should be used in dealing with such a volatile commodity.

Policy makers here are concerned about depending too much on such a volatile commodity, and are looking for ways of strengthening other parts of the economy.

Crude oil has always been a volatile commodity, but industry officials and the experts who follow it say that a number of factors are combining to increase volatility.