Benchmark
Some see Esma reining in position limits after review
The scope of position limits could shrink to cover just the major benchmarks, one executive argues
Treading the high wire: The biofuel demand growth balancing act
Prima was named number one in research in biofuels in the 2017 Energy Risk Commodity Rankings. Managing director Matthew Stone foresees an expansive but volatile road in the year ahead, as global demand for low carbon fuels rises while politicians juggle…
EU benchmark proposal may hit commodity index publishers
Platts fears indexes will be ‘less robust’ due to provision on supervised entities
In manipulation cases, "everybody's doing it" is no excuse
From the natural gas index scandal of the early 2000s to the Libor-rigging cases of today, it's always the junior employees who go to jail while bosses walk, Vincent Kaminski observes
US gas price reporting drop raises questions about indexes
Jitters about regulatory risk have caused a growing number of energy firms to stop reporting their US natural gas trades to Platts and other index publishers. As reported transaction volumes fall, can the indexes still be trusted?
Fall in US gas hub liquidity hampers derivatives market
Surging shale gas production in the northeast US has undermined Platts’ Gulf Coast indexes and derivatives contracts that rely on them
Report highlights decline in US gas price reporting
Fewer US energy firms are reporting gas trades to Platts and other index publishers, amid shifts in market structure and fears of regulatory risk
US shale boom poses challenge to Henry Hub benchmark
Henry Hub, the US natural gas benchmark, is being called a "broken proxy" as the shale revolution boosts production in the northeast US. But potential alternatives, such as Pennsylvania's Dominion South, will find it difficult to seize Henry's crown
Precious metals dealers search for better benchmarks
Amid pressure from regulators, a new system for determining benchmark silver prices will be put in place from mid-August, while reforms are also under discussion in the gold market. Industry observers say increasing participation will be crucial to…
Silver dealers weigh up benchmark alternatives
Amid increased scrutiny of financial benchmarks, market participants are voting on how to reform pricing for silver - a decision that may also carry implications for gold
OIES trying to fuel debate on energy markets, says Fattouh
Unlike other research houses, the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies does not toe a single editorial line and occasionally publishes opposing views on the same topic. But far from being a drawback, that is what makes the institute great, argues…
Platts shifts focus away from price reporting code
Price reporting agency says it intends to concentrate on complying with Iosco rules, leaving future of IPRO code in doubt
Energy should be exempt from benchmark rules, argues EC official
Benchmark indexes in energy markets are already well regulated and do not need further oversight, argues EC director-general for energy
Lack of regulatory clarity hampering PRA code of conduct
Price reporting agencies expect to release updated industry code of conduct shortly, but warn regulatory uncertainty could delay their efforts
Tankard natural gas indexes greeted with scepticism
Traders show little enthusiasm for Tankard indexes of European natural gas, despite ongoing concerns about the reliability of assessments by price reporting agencies. Gillian Carr reports
PRAs push back against potential EU rules on benchmarks
Price reporting agencies among the most vehement critics of potential EU rules on benchmark indexes
Asian challenge to crude benchmarks
As Asian demand for crude continues to increase, calls are growing for an Asian crude oil benchmark to sit alongside the global benchmarks of WTI and Brent. Jay Maroo investigates the possible alternatives
Seeking opportunities in coal trading
Coal prices are expected to have better support this year than last, but trading opportunities will lie in relative-value strategies, say market experts. Jay Maroo reports
Oil Storage Data - Taking Stock
Volatile prices and perceived problems with WTI as a benchmark have triggered renewed calls for weekly European stock data to supplement US data. An EC directive is currently being discussed, but not everyone is in favour of this, finds Rachel Morison