Feature
Full steam ahead for FFAs
The freight derivatives market has attracted an influx of new players recently thanks to the spread of clearing. With more banks and hedge funds poised to enter, Roderick Bruce looks at what opportunities the market offers and how it needs to develop next
Up in the air
Rising wind power prices are encouraging US producers to turn to the short-term and spot electricity markets. Increasingly sophisticated risk management techniques may follow. David Watkins reports
Profit and loss explained
Profit and loss explained analysis and reporting has become arequired tool for the middle and front office. Brian Shydlo investigates
Operating optimally
The increase in energy trading in recent years has brought significant opportunities but also a rise in operational risk, leaving systems struggling to keep up. Barney Brown at Detica identifies some areas of operational risk deriving from both internal…
Energy Risk in Asia
Last month risk management professionals from all over the Asia-Pacific region gathered in Singapore for the inaugural Energy Risk Asia conference. Oliver Holtaway reports on some of the highlights
The net widens
Grid computing is ubiquitous in investment banking, yet until now the energy trading and risk management space has been slow on the uptake. This looks set to change, reports David Watkins
Drought damage down under
The current drought in Australia has driven power prices to recordhighs. Early-June storms brought increased volatility and makinghedging even trickier for all market participation. Joe Marsh reports
A cracked barrel?
Debate over the suitability of West Texas Intermediate as a benchmark crude resurfaces regularly, but recent price activity in the US oil contract – which influences the entire energy complex – is causing consternation. David Watkins reports
The smart revolution
The smart grid is well on the way to becoming a reality, with some technologies already changing the economics of power supply. However, customers must be offered risk differentiated pricing for the real benefits of the smart grid to be realised, finds…
An air of uncertainty
As gasoline prices soar, the creaking US refinery system is once more under fire. Although today's healthy margins should encourage new investment, unresolved issues of green regulation appear to be curbing this. David Watkins investigates
Conference calling
This year's Energy Risk USA conference broke the record attendance of last year with more than 330 delegates gathering in Houston to focus on the latest issues in energy risk management. The Energy Risk team brings you some highlights
All change for coal
Increased demand for coal, coupled with changes in its physical flows, have caused a surge in coal price volatility and exponential growth in derivatives trade, writes Guillaume Perret of Perret Associates
Société Générale
Oil and Products House of the Year
Merrill Lynch Commodities
Coal House of the Year
GFI/Amerex/StarSupply
Broker of the Year
Measuring success
A cutting-edge survey by McKinsey & Company reveals which types of trading are most prevalent and successful among utilities. Using survey data, McKinsey's Jörg Doege, Sven Heiligtag and Peter De Wit suggest guidelines for creating successful trading and…
HSBC
Precious Metals House of the Year