A Guide to Trading in the Empire

GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT FOR TRADING WITHIN THE UEE AND ADJACENT SYSTEMS

Trading and commodity brokering may seem intimidating at first, but with a little knowledge and the right attitude, it can be a rewarding career. To increase the accessibility and understanding of trading within the Empire, the UEE’s Trading & Development Division (TDD) is happy to offer the following helpful insights to get you started.

Please note that the guidance below may not be relevant or reliable when applied to xeno-economies (documentation regarding Xi’an, Banu, and other non-Human controlled systems will be available at a future date).

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UNDERSTANDING MARKET BEHAVIORS

Most markets function on the principle of supply and demand. The price offered at trade terminals is dynamically driven for each commodity , increasing the price of the goods on offer based on the volume of traffic at that specific trade location. In addition to this, when brokers receive many of the same commodity the purchase price of that good will lower significantly due to the broker having an excess of it.

Trading at its core is about understanding these shifts and capitalizing on them. This idea is broken down and explored in more detail below:

CONSUMER ACTIVITY CREATES FLUCTUATING PRICES:

- The higher the number of traders buying or selling a specific commodity at a location, the worse the price becomes. If you are waiting in line to use a terminal, this is typically a strong indication that this location is already experiencing high traffic and the price you will be offered will most likely be much lower than expected. - Because of this, the most popular locations such as major cities or large stations will rarely offer the best deals. - Travelling further afield to more obscure, or dangerous locations, where supply is much lower can often net you a more fruitful deal. - When preparing to trade, it is recommended to have a list of other potential locations to sell at, ensuring you receive the best price for your goods. - An exception to this is trading in rare resources or goods. These items typically retain their value because of their rarity, especially if those rare goods are unavailable from other brokers nearby.

FILL YOUR SHIP’S HOLD WISELY:

- When buying, checking the maximum container size available (2, 8, 16, or 32 SCU) for a commodity is often a good indicator of the amount of trade that commodity experiences. - Goods in larger containers are typically more abundant and therefore easier to come by, whereas goods only available in smaller containers will have a higher value due to their scarcity. - For example, Atlasium, a very rare commodity, would typically sell in containers of 2 SCU, whereas Copper, a very common commodity, would typically sell in containers of 32 SCU. - Commodities bought in a specific container size compete with other goods of a similar size. For example, a container of 32 SCU ore should have its price compared to other 32 SCU container, rather than an 8 SCU container.

TRADING WITHIN YOUR MEANS:

- Ultimately, the best deal is the one that is most convenient for you. Searching for the right deal can be advantageous but should be weighed against the risk of transporting high value goods across systems and the time investment that comes with it. Major trade locations such as TDDs are reliable centers for selling your goods if you are unsure of where to get the best deal.

INFORMATION COURTESY OF TERRENCE CONNORS CHIEF STRATEGIC BUSINESS ADVISER TRADE & DEVELOPMENT DIVISION “SERVING THE EMPIRE SINCE 2463”