Quant Ideas: market-making, risk and information in commodities
High volatility and noisy data sets have profound implications on risk management in commodity markets
It is well-known that commodity assets and markets exhibit extreme volatilities. This is often dismissed as an interesting peculiarity that would mean we only need to put some bigger numbers into formulas we imported wholesale from the traditional financial markets.
This misguided confidence in the effectiveness of standard financial tools has led many a bank and trading operation into a whirlwind of sudden gains and equally unexpected massive losses. As the old adage in the business has it: it
More on Risk management
Energy supply chain challenges prompt risk management rethink
As supply chain challenges grow, energy risk managers are taking a more dynamic and holistic approach to managing and anticipating supply chain risk, say Sapna Amlani and Stephen Golliker at Moody’s
Energy Risk Europe Leaders’ Network: the challenge of unpredictability
The European Leaders’ Network, sponsored by Engie, convened in London on June 29, 2026, and focused on the impact of geopolitical tension, price volatility and policy uncertainty on European energy markets.
Break down silos to manage geopolitics – risk managers
Risk Live: Experts says scenario planning helps identify who has information needed in a crisis
Treat AI models as would-be hackers, says quant
Risk Live: Models capable of “strategic deception” require different risk management, says former Risk.net quant of the year
AI autonomy may redefine risk management roles
Risk Live: Machine validation of autonomous processes may emerge “relatively soon”, EIF risk chief says
Managing extreme volatility in commodities
Persistent volatility requires a rethink of technology architecture, says Murex head of market risk practice
Commodity volatility prompts a rethink of risk frameworks
Commodity market volatility is exposing the cracks in firms’ risk management frameworks and policies
Asian banks close out energy clients as Iran war bites
Firms with short jet fuel positions faced losses up to $100 million as initial margin soared 566%
