Market risk
ICE to acquire Chatham Energy Partners
IntercontinentalExchange (ICE) has agreed to acquire Chatham Energy Partners, a brokerage firm that specialises in structuring and facilitating transactions in the over-the-counter (OTC) markets for energy options
Crude oil futures pass $80
West Texas Intermediate for October delivery closed at $80.09 a barrel in trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange Thursday, driven by continued concern about a report from the US Department of Energy showing that US crude inventory had fallen for the…
CME to offer clearing for ethanol basis swaps
Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) will offer clearing for over-the-counter (OTC) ethanol basis swaps from October 5. The service will offer centralised clearing, including daily mark-to-market margining and reduced counterparty risk, to the biofuels and…
Sub-prime hits energy
The fallout from the US sub-prime mortgage meltdown is complicating seasonal uncertainties for energy markets. David Watkins reports
Head in the sand
There is still scepticism among energy market participants around Mifid. Some believe they are exempt, while many more are waiting to see what others will do. In view of the significant changes Mifid will make to the energy markets, these are not the…
A new coal agreement
The ISDA Coal Annex allows market participants to combine physical coal trades and coal derivatives under a single trading agreement. Lauren Teigland-Hunt says this development should improve liquidity in the global coal market
Rocks and hard places
Despite the environmental, political and infrastructure challenges faced by US coal, some believe high-sulphur grades could soon be back in fashion. David Watkins investigates
Nymex confirms sale talks
Following months of heightened speculation, Nymex Holdings, the parent company of the New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex) has released a statement confirming it has been in “preliminary” talks to be purchased.
Calyon Financial and Fimat to merge
Investment banks Société Générale and Calyon have agreed to merge the brokerage activities currently carried out by their respective subsidiaries, Fimat and Calyon Financial.
Barcap increases commodities appetite
Investment bank Barclays Capital has sharply increased its appetite for risk-taking in the first half of 2007, with all the new risk being taken in the commodities segment, according to Barcap reports.
Court of appeals rules in favor of Ice in Nymex litigation
The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has ruled in favour of IntercontinentalExchange in its long-running litigation with the New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex) over the right of market participants to use Nymex settlement prices.
Crossed wires
The wholesale UK power market has struggled to attract liquidity from financial players. The Futures and Options Association's initiative to restructure the market is intended to solve these problems, but some established market players say they have…
White House pushes for futures fees
The Bush Administration has requested that the House of Representatives approve a proposed transaction fee on futures and options contracts.
Wells Fargo to offer electricity price risk management, RECs
US financial services company Wells Fargo is to offer an electricity price hedging facility, enabling middle market companies to manage their power costs.
Reports fuel supply fears
Upwardly revised oil price forecasts and recent reports from the International Energy Agency and the US National Petroleum Council point to growing unease about global energy supplies, writes David Watkins
CFTC: Amaranth manipulated gas prices
US futures market regulator alleges that the defunct hedge fund sought to influence the settlement price of Nymex natural gas futures by selling heavily during the closing range. David Watkins reports
Shifting flows in Asia
Soaring Asian demand is transforming world oil markets. While Asian oil supply cannot match demand, Asia has big plans for refinery building. Eric Fishhaut of GlobalView Software investigates
End-user forum
Energy procurement and price risk management is an increasingly vital function for energy intensive companies, from airlines and cement manufacturers to supermarket retailers. Roderick Bruce investigates the challenges facing such companies in Europe and…
Clearing the way
The Futures and Options Association has called on UK power market participants to come forward to help develop the market's structure. Chris Cook proposes an enterprise model that aims to overcome the obstacles to co-operation
South Korea hedges its bets
Corporate hedging of energy and commodity price risk in South Korea used to be the purview of a handful of large conglomerates. But a recent change in regulation has opened up the door to a whole new tier of potential hedgers. Local banks are now teaming…
Stora Enso
The Scandinavian paper maker has found that having its own generation assets can be an effective hedge against rising and volatile power prices