It is very possible. Speculation by people who do not have a stake in the physical product artificially increases demand. Without a corresponding increase in supply, which almost all commodities have relatively fixed short and medium-term supply, prices increase.

I am sure there is literature on the empirically observed effects of speculation on commodity markets, but the theory is fairly straightforward.

Absolutely, it drove up tech stocks, the mortage mess and now commodities.

Hello G, you are spot on!