From Traderpedia

Definition: A basket of commodities which is intended to provide information as to the overall direction of commodity prices in general.

The CRB Index, as of July 12, 2005 known officially as the Reuters/Jefferies CRB Index.

[edit] History

Developed in 1957, the CRB Index was weighted originally heavily towards agricultural commodities. Since its inception, it has been revised nine times to be more representative of a broader range of commodities, particularly energy. It now represents nineteen commodity markets.

[edit] Trading the Index

The CRB Index futures (along with options have traded on the NYBOT since 1986. The 2005 revision changed the contract parameters so that the multiplier on the contract is now $200 as opposed to the previous $500.