Market risk
Banks pull back from market-making
A lack of OTC market-making is causing concern about long-term liquidity in the energy markets. The future of market-making depends on the banking industry, reports Katie Holliday
CFTC names Chilton head of energy committee
Bart Chilton, one of four commissioners at the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission, has this week taken charge of the regulator's energy markets advisory committee.
EDF slammed by Tartam tariff pricing
The French government's implementation of regulated energy prices has hammered its state-owned champion's 2008 results and undermined market liberalisation. Roderick Bruce reports
Is it all over for over-the-counter?
Bills proposed in the US Congress to limit the influence of speculators and boost transparency could significantly alter the OTC commodity trading landscape. Roderick Bruce reports
DB and Stemcor forge steel trading alliance
Deutsche Bank has formed a strategic alliance with the world's largest independent steel trader Stemcor to offer steel derivatives products.
Paul Newman
To celebrate its 15th anniversary this year, Energy Risk brings you interviews with the veterans who have helped shape today's energy markets. Paul Newman, oil derivatives pioneer and managing director of Icap Energy, discusses the past 15 years in…
Farming fundamentals
While the ailing global economy is pressuring industrial commodity prices, the agricultural grains markets have some very different fundamental drivers, some of which appear fairly supportive, finds Pauline McCallion
Renewables Portfolios - Exposed to the elements
Optimising a renewables portfolio is fraught with challenges. Stephen Maloney discusses them, and suggests some methods that allow for a more robust approach to portfolio optimisation
Paul Newman
To celebrate its 15th anniversary this year, Energy Risk brings you interviews with the veterans who have helped shape today's energy markets. Paul Newman, oil derivatives pioneer and managing director of Icap Energy, discusses the past 15 years in…
Regulation rethink
Calls for more regulation of the US power markets have subsided recently as fuel prices drop, and experts predict that a hybrid system of lighter regulation coupled with market-based pricing will become the new model across the country. Pauline McCallion…
All Clear?
Despite a recent large increase in volumes, clearing for commodities remains a contentious issue, with little agreement on what the best business model should be, and insufficient standardisation, say market participants. Rachel Morison investigates
Solar Power - Dark times for solar power
This year looks tough for solar power, with Spain, the largest market in 2008, capping new production. Finding private financing is harder, making clear feed-in tariff policies essential, finds Vanya Dragomanovich
Agora-X launches OTC platform for energy and metals
Agora-X, an electronic trading platform, has launched a new platform for the negotiation, execution and clearing of over-the-counter (OTC) trades in energy and metal contracts.
Outlook positive for commodities investors
Investors are bullish about commodities in the long term, according Barcap's annual investor survey, with 79% of participants planning to initiate or increase their exposure to commodities over the next three years.
Scotia Capital acquires part of UBS Energy
Scotia Capital, a subsidiary of Scotiabank, today announced the acquisition of assets and employees from UBS Energy, a unit of UBS AG.
S&P GSCI Index Commodity Swaps to clear on CME ClearPort
Standard & Poor's has signed a licensing agreement with CME Group to clear swaps on the S&P GSCI Excess Return Index.
Reliant sells Texas business to NRG and posts fourth quarter loss
In addition to the sale of its Texas retail business to NRG Energy for $287.5m, Reliant Energy has announced fourth quarter losses, including $177m from energy derivatives.
ICE offers margin offsets on coal and emissions contracts
ICE Futures Europe has introduced margin offsets between its Coal Futures and Emissions contracts.
VTB Capital enters steam coal market
Russian bank VTB Capital has joined coal trading marketplace globalCOAL to develop its risk management operations in the Pacific region steam coal market.
Centrica invests in 60 bcf gas storage facility
British utility Centrica will develop the UK's second largest gas storage facility through the acquisition of a controlling interest in the Baird gas field project in the southern North Sea.
Icap clears first ag swap through ICE
Interdealer broker Icap has executed the first ever cleared agricultural swap transaction through IntercontinentalExchange clearing house ICE Clear US. Regulatory approval for such transactions was granted by the CFTC in December last year.