Commodities
Limits on metal derivatives meet opposition
The commodity market is divided on position limits for metal derivatives.
China secures big Angola oil deal
Chinese oil refining, producing and trading company China Petroleum and Chemical (Sinopec) has acquired deep-water oil assets in Angola by buying a 55% stake in Sonangol Sinopec, in a bid to further secure its diverse portfolio of oil import security.
UNFCCC official: public and private sectors must work together on CDMs
The relationship between the public and private sector needs to be strengthened at a quicker pace to ensure the future of project-based mechanisms such as clean development mechanism (CDM) and joint implementation (JI) projects, says a United Nations…
ETF Securities launches commodity index tracker fund
Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and currency specialist ETF Securities has launched the first ETF to track the Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Three-Month Forward Index (DJ-UBSCI F3(SM)), following growing investor demand for diversified commodity related products.
Changes to UK interruptible gas contracts could cause supply outages in 2011
UK National Grid’s decision in January to tell large users on interruptible contracts to stop using gas is likely to be taken a stage further next time there is a cold snap, and could lead to the closure of thermal plants, warns a top official at the…
S&P to launch commodity sub-indexes amid US regulation fears
Ratings agency and financial research firm Standard & Poor’s (S&P) is to roll out two commodity-related sub-indexes that focus only on European and Asian contracts in response to fears the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) will make further…
Energy Risk: What's coming next?
Energy Risk brings you a snapshot of what's moving and shaking the markets with a special look at the continuing impact of the financial crisis on utilities.
IEA revises China oil outlook for 2010
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has revised its global oil demand forecast for the second time this year, following a double digit upwards surge in China’s year-on-year apparent oil demand in January.
The increasing FX
FX-linked products are on the rise as yield hungry investors look to one of the few underlyings that has been feasible to structure into short term capital protected notes in recent times while hedging conditions improve for issuers. A transparent and…
Keeping it in the family
US family offices control possibly the largest concentration of private family wealth in the world, so it is no surprise that creators of structured products are eyeing this space. But with the ultra-rich resembling small institutional investors more…
Two-thirds of ETRM users plan new systems in 2010
Some 67% of respondents to Energy Risk’s 2010 Software Survey say they will be investing in new energy trading risk management (ETRM) systems this year, to tackle dissatisfaction with the speed and usability of existing software systems, as well as…
CFTC to examine metals trading
The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has announced details of a public meeting on March 25 to examine the trading of futures and options in the precious and base metals markets.
UK gas prices to remain low despite weather
Spot and future UK gas prices will remain low over the next few months, despite the cold snap, after official government forecasts revealed its expectations for milder weather, say analysts.
Citi names new global commodities head
Stuart Staley has taken over as Citigroup’s global head of commodities, as the bank aims to boost the business by 30-40% over the next three years.
CFTC: Ice compliance staff under “strain”
The IntercontinentalExchange (Ice) Futures US compliance team has been under “strain” and should hire additional staff, according to a recent Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) review.
Commodity rankings 2010: Energy
The 2010 Risk/Energy Risk commodity rankings reveal which companies have been able to prosper despite the difficult conditions of 2009. Lianna Brinded analyses the results and talks to key market participants about their views
Commodity rankings 2010: Metals
HSBC topped the precious metals categories of this year’s commodity rankings, swapping places with runner-up and last year’s winner UBS in a gold-dominated 12 months. Société Générale maintained its dominance in base metals, while Goldman Sachs climbed…
Commodity Rankings: Reclaiming the top spot
The 2010 Risk/Energy Risk Commodity Rankings reveal which companies have been able to prosper despite the difficult conditions of 2009. Lianna Brinded analyses the results and talks to key market participants about their views
Going it alone
Jyske Bank, based in Denmark, has traditionally distributed products that have been created by large banks. However, after the financial crisis saw consumer confidence in those banks plunge, Jyske has had to step in to operate as both issuer and…