We have hundreds of indexes tracking everything that wiggles or moves. We are constantly searching for direction. Where is the market headed? Where is the economy going? Are we still in a recession? Will we see more growth next year? And on and on we go.

Well, here's a unique index -- two indexes in fact -- that track unusual products. The Commodity Research Bureau's raw industrials spot index, which includes print cloth, rosin and wool tops, soared to an all-time high last week, as reported in the Wall Street Journal. The Journal of Commerce/Economic Cycle Research Institute industrial price index, which tracks industrial metals, cotton, hides and tallow, hit a 2010 high last Friday -- just shy of its 2008 peak.

"Iron ore miner Vale (VALE) turned in outstanding results in the third quarter, with a 110 percent increase in revenue, thanks to a more than doubling in iron ore prices this year," notes Ian Wyatt.

The editor of Global Commodity Investing explains, "Iron ore prices, which are set quarterly, have since declined 10 percent, so the company won't rack up such impressive numbers again in this quarter. The weak dollar will also have an impact on the company's margins.

"Still, given China's continued strong expansion, as well as those of other emerging markets-and limited expected supply additions, iron ore prices are likely to remain high for some time to come.

"China, India, and Russia have been overt in their desire to accumulate significant quantities of gold as an alternate currency reserve," says resource specialist Curtis Hesler.

The editor of The Professional Timing Service explains, "I do believe we are seeing this process in effect, and it is acting to put a floor on the downside price of bullion.

"From a purely technical point of view, we should see gold decline back to at least the June highs of $1,260. An outside target would be $1,150, but I don't think our foreign friends will wait that long to jump in and counter sellers.

"For much of their history, Mongolians described themselves as 'beggars sitting on a huge pile of gold;" suggests international investing expert Nicholas Vardy.

The editor of The Global Bull Market Alert explains, "Even Genghis Khan knew about Mongolia's massive mineral deposits. He just had no idea how to tap into them. But that's all changing largely thanks to the efforts of Ivanhoe Mines (IVN).

"Ivanhoe is a Canadian company that is building what may turn out to be the world's largest copper and gold mine: Oyu Tolgoi.

"Much of China's continued economic growth is going to be fueled by rather mundane stuff, like aluminum, which is why we think it is time to consider Aluminum Corp. of China (ACH)," says China stock expert Keith Fitz-Gerald.

The editor of The New China Trader explains, "Based in Beijing, Aluminum Corp. -- also known as CHALCO -- is the world's second-largest alumina producer.

"According to Pittsburgh-based aluminum giant Alcoa, Chinese consumption of aluminum is expected to grow by 21% in 2010. Growth in the rest of world is only expected to increase by 6% over the same time.

"High gold prices and low debt costs make now a great time for major gold producers to seek and acquire junior gold companies," says Ian Wyatt.

The editor of Top Stock Insights explains, "I have singled out what I believe could be a potential takeover candidate: IAMgold (IAG), a mid-tier Canadian gold miner.

"Although we emphasize that this is a speculation, we believe the company could be a takeover candidate by large South African miners, perhaps by such companies as Gold Fields or AngloGold Ashanti.

"With many stocks so clearly undervalued, we set ourselves the goal of finding some with the potential to double or better over the next 18 to 24 months," says Stephen Leeb.

The editor of The Complete Investor adds, "Two such gems are metals plays -- Silver Wheaton (SLW), a more conservative play in our growth portfolio, and NovaGold Resources (NG), a more speculative holding in our small-cap value portfolio.

"These two metal picks are both leveraged to precious metals, one to silver and one to gold.

"Given the fact that Canada is looking pretty stable and smart these days, I thought it was time to feature a Canadian stock," suggests Glenn Rogers.

The contributing editor to Internet Wealth Builder explains, "Below, we look at Teck Resources (TCK), a highly diversified resource business based in Vancouver. With Teck you get good copper exposure plus coal and zinc as well as oil sands.

"This is a pretty good time to be in the natural resources business particularly if you are seen as a reliable and politically neutral trading partner such as Canada.

"The "golden" days lie ahead for silver and investors who get exposure to this commodity and stocks in the sector; in my view, there is no better silver miner than the 119 year old Hecla Mining (HL)," says Ian Wyatt.

The editor of Top Stock Insights explains, "The company is one of the oldest miners in the U.S. and operates in Alaska and Idaho.

"Over the past 12 months, silver has lagged increases in gold by a large margin and that will not last. Investors buy silver for the same reason as gold, inflation.

"The agriculture-related stocks continue to move into my top tier of highest scoring stocks; add to this, BHP Billiton's hostile take-over bid for Potash Corp. and it is easy to see how investor interest in this segment of the market appears to be heating up," says Mike Turner.

The editor of Mastering the Markets explains, "One favorite in the sector is Mosaic (MOS). With a market capitalization of $25.2 billion, produces potash, one of the primary ingredients in fertilizer.

"Ferrelgas Partners LP (FGP) is a propane distributor whose dividend history and underlying business seem to offer the promise of a secure income stream," notes Marvin Appel and Josh Mandelbaum.

In Systems & Startegies, the advisors explain, "Ferrellgas is the second largest retailer of propane in the U.S. and the largest tank exchange company. The partnership has a 16-year history of paying $2.00/share. This represents a yield of 8.2%.

The energy and commodities sectors now appears to be heating up; and one booming market is coal," says Mark Skousen, who adds, "In light of this, our latest featured recommendation is Peabody Energy (BTU)."

The editor of The Hedge Fund Trader Alert explains, "Coal demand is rising both domestically and globally, especially among the BRIC emerging markets.

"Investors should consider adding exposure to the oil tanker industry; this business is notoriously volatile, as tanker rates fluctuate," says Elliott Gue.

The editor of The Energy Strategist explains, "Nonetheless, I expect the back half of the year to be a solid environment for tanker companies. Moreover, many stocks in the group offer substantial dividend yields. One of our favorites is Nordic American Tanker Shipping (NAT), which yields over 8 percent.

"We think there is too much risk to owning pure refiners in this environment," says John Buckingham.

The editor of The Prudent Speculator explains, "However, there is one company with a valuation now hurt by its refining exposure, but that is shifting upstream in a way that makes the eventual mix worth owning now: Marathon Oil (MRO).

"Since the turn of the century, Marathon Oil has generated an average of 85% of its revenue from refining. And profit coming from the upstream division was weighted by taxes and royalties. As a result, the company has traditionally been valued much more like a refiner than a true integrated oil company.

The editor of Internet Wealth Builder explains, "AEM is a Canadian company that has operating mines in Quebec and Nunavut as well as in northern Finland and Mexico. Note the geography - all are stable countries with no known political threats to mining ventures.