Market risk
Painful mistakes
The use of spreadsheets remains widespread in the energy trading sector, but the risks are high. Pauline McCallion looks at how these traps can be avoided
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…
Movers & shakers
As part of our 15th Anniversary, Energy Risk rounds up 15 of the most influential and innovative companies currently active in the traded energy markets and profiles their achievements
Sparking innovation
In the second of two articles tracing the beginnings of energy derivatives trading, Roderick Bruce looks at the development of the natural gas and electricity markets in the US and Europe
Power plant Greeks
The computation of the price sensitivities - otherwise known as the Greeks - of a power plant is essential for proper hedging and risk management. However, due to the complexity and difficulty involved in the modelling of generation characteristics and…
Where to next?
Energy trading is experiencing rapid change and it can be difficult for ETRM software to keep pace. Rachel Morison finds out which issues software vendors are tackling and what they expect next-generation software to achieve
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…
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.
E.ON Energy Trading joins CEGH
EON Energy Trading has joined the Central European Gas Hub (CEGH) at Baumgarten. The move is part the company's plans to expand its gas trading activities in Central and Eastern Europe in an effort to improve market access and develop a more integrated,…
Bursa Malaysia sets up Shariah-compliant commodity platform
Commodities exchange Bursa Malaysia has signed an agreement with 26 companies to launch a Shariah-compliant commodity trading platform, Commodity Murabahah House (CMH).
Financial crisis hits European Energy Exchange
Trading volumes at the European Energy Exchange (EEX) have slumped in the first half of 2009 after years of continuous growth. An EEX report highlights a particular decline in power derivatives volumes traded by financial institutions, despite a boost in…
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.
Spectron brokers first UK month-ahead power index deal
Interdealer broker Spectron's UK power desk yesterday brokered the first reported trade based on the new London Energy Brokers' Association (LEBA) Month-ahead UK Power index.
CFTC to regulate ICE natural gas contract as SPDC
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has imposed new regulatory and reporting requirements on a natural gas contract traded on the IntercontinentalExchange.
Market uncertain over oil price direction
Analysts at investment banks are divided in their views over the average price of crude oil for the rest of 2009 and into 2010.
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.
SMX selects Standard Chartered as clearing bank
The Singapore Mercantile Exchange (SMX) has appointed Standard Chartered to provide its clearing and settlement services.
IEA outlook for oil supply too bullish says Calyon
The International Energy Agency's Medium-Term Oil Market Report 2009, released on June 29, was surprisingly bullish on oil supply, according to Christophe Barret, global oil analyst at French bank Calyon.
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.
Amerex launches consulting service
Amerex Brokers, an over-the-counter energy broker and wholly-owned subsidiary of GFI Group, has formed a fee-based energy risk management and execution consulting division called Amerex Energy Consulting Services (AECS).