Market risk
A slow squeeze
The oil price may have eased recently, but it remains high. What impact is this having on the global economy? Concerns remain for the long-term future of crude supply. Joe Marsh reports
A surprising future
High oil prices are not triggering as large an upturn in oil exploration as was first expected, with many questioning how long the current situation will last. But high prices are having some rather unexpected effects. By Maria Kielmas
Ten years at the top
A decade of commodity rankings has seen many players come and go – but as James Ockenden finds, the top two investment banks, Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs, have been solid all the way
Clear intentions
The Alberta Watt Exchange in Calgary is already clearing over-the-counter electricity contracts and from next year will be able to clear natural gas as well. But how much liquidity will it attract? Joe Marsh reports
Playing monopoly
China Aviation Oil is well placed to benefit from China’s economic boom – thanks to its powerful jet-fuel supply monopoly. Yet there are still opportunities for those willing to develop new markets, finds James Ockenden
Agree to disagree
Volatility in the dry freight market has led to the use of derivatives such as forward freight agreements and the development of other innovative products. But will they have a lasting impact on the energy markets? By Hann Ho
Risky liquidations
It is all too easy to go for the simplest solution when liquidating an energy portfolio of different positions. Brett Humphreys discusses some of the problems with appropriately calculating the VAR associated with liquidating a portfolio
A popular punt
Experts remain bullish about the flow of new money into catastrophe cover. But an influx of hedge funds backed increasingly by institutional capital has led to worries of a “domino effect”. By Maria Kielmas
Missing links
For utility companies with income streams linked to inflation, using inflation derivatives to match assets with liabilities easily and relatively cheaply must be the easy option? If only it were that simple. By John Ferry
Nymex to launch two new coal swap futures
The New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex) will launch two new coal futures contracts – one for eastern coal and one for western coal – on its ClearPort trading platform on October 31.
Nymex to launch New England electricity futures contract
The New York Mercantile Exchange will introduce a New England swap futures contract on its ClearPort trading platform on October 31.
US Midwest a step closer to wholesale power market
After several delays, the Midwest wholesale power market might now be on course for launch next March. The Midwest independent transmission system operator (Miso) today announced the creation of three financial hubs for the wholesale trading of…
Nymex European launch imminent
Nymex aims to launch an open outcry exchange in Europe, most likely initially in Dublin using Nybot’s Finex facilities, according to president James Newsome.
A legal rollercoaster
US-based Polygon wants to see a better restructuring deal for British Energy’sshareholders. But the hedge fund faces a struggle to prevent the UK nuclear powergenerator from delisting. Joe Marsh reports
Fabio Leoncini
Fabio Leoncini, head of the Italian association of energy suppliers and traders,outlines his efforts to get Italy’s energy market fully competitive. By Joe Marsh
Found in translation
While risk managers have become focused on value-at-risk and similar risk metrics,these may not be the best way of communicating risk to stakeholders. BrettHumphreys discusses how to improve communications
Earnings at risk
The structure of a typical energy portfolio often contains a different assetand contract mix from the simple derivatives instruments in a more standard portfolio.This requires a different approach to risk. Here, Les Clewlow and ChrisStrickland make the…
Avoiding the gas work
Ferc is exploring whether gas storage inventory details should be posted on adaily basis. How will this affect the development of the embryonic natural gasstorage swaps market? Paul Lyon reports
Best laid plans
Growing interest in commodities on all sides mean energy products will be a good bet in 2005. And this has led to the increased popularity of new forms of structured correlation products. By James Ockenden and Joe Marsh
Driving up the price
Nowhere has the spiralling cost of petroleum been more acutely felt than in the US, where the car is king. The rise is, of course, directly related to high crude oil prices, pushed ever higher by threats to production arising from worldwide political…
Nymex ends open-outcry trading of PJM monthly power futures
The New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex) will move daytime trading of the PJM monthly electricity futures contract to ClearPort, its internet-based system, from the open-outcry trading floor on November 1.
Evolution starts brokering US natural gas and power
US coal and emissions broker Evolution Markets has expanded its services to include over-the-counter (OTC) brokerage services for North American natural gas and power. Jeff Rosenzweig has joined as managing director of the new gas and power desk, and…