Regulation
Rewriting the rules
The proposed re-regulation of financial markets in the US could have far-reaching consequences for OTC commodity derivatives trading. Peter Malyshev, of counsel at law firm Winston & Strawn, analyses the proposals and identifies possible winners and…
A seagull's-eye view
US offshore energy could receive a boost from a newly announced US Federal regulatory scheme. Gregory Lawrence, Mustafa Ostrander and Stephen Smith of McDermott Will & Emery outline the programme
EBRD to support Ukraine gas reforms
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is to provide a sovereign-guaranteed loan to Ukraine's state-owned energy firm Naftogaz. The loan will aid a government plan to reform Ukraine's struggling energy market and secure the transit…
Spectron joins ICE eConfirm
Global brokerage Spectron has signed up to the Intercontinental Exchange's eConfirm Broker Matching Service for over-the-counter trading.
UK scraps carbon VAT to tackle fraud
The UK government has moved to tackle VAT fraud on carbon credits by removing VAT from emission allowances.
BHP Billiton offers 30% of iron ore contracts for sale
Global mining company BHP Billion has announced that 30% of its total iron ore volumes will be sold on a mix of quarterly negotiated pricing, market clearing price (spot market) and index-based pricing. The move has boosted confidence in the development…
ICE Futures Europe data added to COT reports
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is to include positions of traders in West Texas Intermediate crude oil contracts on ICE Futures Europe in future Commitments of Traders (COT) reports.
US legislators outline derivatives proposals
Two committee chairmen from the US House of Representatives have published a concept paper on regulation of over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives designed to guide any future legislation.
CME launches cleared OTC agricultural options
CME Group today announced the launch of 10 cleared over-the-counter (OTC) options on physical agricultural commodities, beginning August 24.
Banks step forward at second CFTC hearing
Investment bank structures came under fire today at a Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) hearing called to examine position limits and hedge exemptions in the energy sector.
Regulator re-opens speculation debate
At the first of three hearings on possible methods to control oil price speculation today, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) chairman called for serious consideration of the need for position limits in energy trading.
CFTC sets dates for position limits hearings
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) will hold the first of three open hearings to discuss energy position limits and hedge exemptions on July 28, 2009.
Senate investigates speculation in wheat market
Several market participants appeared before a Senate subcommittee today to discuss the effect of excessive speculation on the price of wheat futures.
Carbon market VAT scrutiny shifts to Climex
The Dutch government has announced changes to the way carbon permits will be taxed, following concerns about a 49% leap in volumes on Dutch carbon exchange Climex in June. The growth came despite an overall drop in trading volumes across all European…
Plastics ring dealing to cease at the LME
The London Metal Exchange (LME) has announced proposals to cease open-outcry trading of its plastics futures contracts, with trade continuing on the LME's electronic and telephone markets.
Treasury casts some light on OTC derivatives regulation
US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner spoke further about Government plans for the regulation of over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives today during a hearing of the House Financial Services and Agriculture Committees.
E.ON and GDF Suez fined for market sharing
The European Commission has fined Germany's E.ON and GDF Suez of France €553 million each for agreeing not to compete in each others markets between 1975 and 2005.
UPDATED: CFTC plans speculation clampdown
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) will hold public hearings in July and August to discuss the need for federal position limits to be imposed on energy futures traders.
Constellation appeals nuclear joint venture finding
Constellation Energy has announced plans to appeal the Maryland Public Service Commission's (PSC) decision to require a pre-approval process for its pending nuclear joint venture with EDF Group.
Allegro launches FERC reporting component
Allegro has launched the latest advancement of its Allegro 8 platform, FERC Connect 8.1, which automates the process for extracting, compiling and reporting information required for the natural gas and power markets.
CFTC discusses detail of derivatives plan
Gary Gensler, the newly appointed chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), today explained how the Government's plan to regulate OTC derivatives should be implemented.
US climate legislation not vital for Copenhagen talks, says Obama advisor
An advisor to President Barack Obama and director of the New America Foundation's Climate Policy Program, Terry Tamminen, has said international progress on climate change does not depend on the US passing legislation first.