Operational risk
US airlines hesitate on fuel hedges despite price drop
Fuel hedging from airlines and other consumers is picking up in the wake of a drop in oil prices, but some firms remain too concerned about the prospect of a further fall
Macquarie acquires Barclays US power trading book
Macquarie is deepening its involvement in North American energy by snapping up an electricity trading book from Barclays, which is said to include tolling agreements with power plant operators
RWE trading chief looks forward to retirement
Commodity markets have been through many changes since Stefan Judisch first began his career 30 years ago. As he prepares to retire as chief executive of RWE Supply & Trading, he talks to Gillian Carr
CFTC’s Giancarlo set to revive energy advisory committee
CFTC's revamped Energy and Environmental Markets Advisory Committee will focus on impact of Dodd-Frank regulations on US energy companies, Giancarlo says
Banks and investors see appeal of commodity finance
Despite the retreat of major global banks from commodities, commodity finance is nonetheless viewed as an attractive opportunity. But it is an area where banks face increased competition from trading houses. By Mark Nicholls
JP Morgan exits power markets with Mercuria deal
Electricity firms are gloomy about JP Morgan’s departure from power markets, saying trading houses and oil majors are not providing the same level of liquidity as banks once did
CFTC's Wetjen urges fix to commodity options problem
CFTC commissioner says seven-part test on definition of a swap under Dodd-Frank "was not specific enough or clear enough" for industry participants
CFTC close to fixing Dodd-Frank commodity option woes
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission is said to be exploring solutions for the so-called 'seventh prong' problem created by its definition of a swap under the Dodd-Frank Act
Conference emphasises need for renewables response
Accommodating rises in renewable electricity production means looking at capacity markets and changes to EU target model, suggest participants at Energy Risk Summit Europe
European gas trading has bright future, panel says
Natural gas is staging a comeback in Europe after being squeezed out by coal during the past few years, according to a panel of market participants who spoke at Energy Risk Summit Europe
Looking back: Chaos ensues at IPE amid protest
Open-outcry trading at the IPE was halted in February 2005 amid a lively protest by Greenpeace activists. The timing was ironic, as Energy Risk reported the following month
EU regulation and renewables seen as big energy risks
Senior risk managers chart biggest concerns for energy companies during panel at Energy Risk Summit Europe, but not everybody agrees the lists are useful
Panel bemoans impact of EU regulation on energy market
Worries about the impact of EU financial rules, such as Emir and Mifid II, are highlighted among a panel of compliance experts at Energy Risk Summit Europe
Mifid II doomsday awaits energy firms, conference told
Speaking at Energy Risk Summit Europe, compliance officer at Shell International Trading & Shipping warns of “serious threat” posed to energy traders by Mifid II
Energy traders must adapt or die, warns E.on risk head
Challenges such as regulation, declining volatility and renewables are making life tough for energy traders, says E.on Global Commodities CRO, but the industry will find solutions
Energy companies facing ‘intrusive’ CFTC special calls
The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission is stepping up its market surveillance activities, issuing special calls to numerous firms that trade over-the-counter swaps. That is causing headaches for smaller energy companies tangled up in the dragnet…
Nothing new about bank commodity exits, history shows
The recent exodus of banks from the commodities business is not a first. Alexander Osipovich looks back at the turbulent history of banks quitting the commodity markets, only to come piling back in a short time later
Energy companies divided on approach to Emir clearing
European utilities are concerned about breaching Emir thresholds requiring firms to clear their OTC derivatives trades, while oil majors are resigned to the idea
OTC energy derivatives did not cause the crisis
Over-the-counter derivatives were blamed for the financial crisis, but now the conversation must turn to finding solutions, not apportioning guilt
Energy Risk Asia ETRM Software House of the Year: OpenLink
The software needs of Asian energy trading firms are growing broader and more sophisticated, and vendor OpenLink is eager to respond
Energy Risk Asia Research House of the Year: SG CIB
SG CIB’s Asia commodity research team is developing investable indexes that are popular with Asian clients, as well as supplying timely and relevant trading ideas
Energy Risk Asia Broker of the Year: GFI Group
Despite a difficult year for commodity brokers, GFI Group is demonstrating continued commitment to some of Asia’s more specialised commodity markets
Energy Risk Asia Risk Manager of the Year: GDF Suez Trading
GDF Suez Trading’s Asia-Pacific unit has expanded rapidly thanks to its understanding of the market and strong client support, but timing has also helped
Energy Risk Asia Technology House of the Year: Aspect Enterprise Solutions
Regulation is driving many medium-sized Asian energy trading firms to seek the kind of affordable commodity trading and risk management system Aspect offers