Risk management
The right charge
Savvy firms now accept risk is inevitable. Those that use their risk capitalefficiently outperform those that don’t. Brett Humphreys looks at alternativeinvestments to find out what the right risk-adjusted return on capital chargesmight be
Using a square peg
Hedging load exposures is a complex issue, and plumping for hedging the expectedvolume is unlikely to be the best solution. Brett Humphreys and RahulGill showthat sometimes, the best hedge of a shaped position is an over-hedge
European companies outline concerns over emissions trading
Corporates are expressing concern at the ramifications of the European UnionEmissions Trading Scheme – just as EU member states finalise their nationalallocation plans. By Paul Lyon
Norway's Statoil sets up emissions trading unit
Norwegian energy company Statoil has formed a unit for trading carbon dioxide emissions. The Oslo-based firm said: “The Norwegian emissions trading regime will govern Statoil’s involvement in the purchase and sale of carbon quotas.”
Skating on thin Ice
Profits at the Intercontinental Exchange fell by more than half last year thanksto a contraction in over-the-counter revenues. Yet the exchange reports recordvolumes for its IPE business. Paul Lyon analyses the results
A fertile future
The CME is hoping its introduction of fertiliser futures will protect the industryfrom fluctuations in the price of natural gas – a vital ingredient in mostnitrogen fertilisers. But is it a case of too little too late? By Paul Lyon
RMS releases updated Climetrix weather trading system
Risk Management Solutions (RMS), a California-based provider of products and services for the management of natural hazard risk, today released version 4.0 of its Climetrix weather derivatives trading and risk management system.
The big picture
Focusing only on measuring VAR and stress tests limits the role of the risk manager.And there are great benefits from a wider view of what risk management can achievefor a company. By Brett Humphreys
Repeal repercussions
Opinions are divided over the possible repeal of the Public Utility Holding CompanyAct. All agree that the environment for investor-owned electric utilities woulddramatically change if the repeal were to go ahead. By Paul Lyon
Taking the slow road
Recent developments suggest that clearing is likely to gain widespread acceptance in the European energy market. Market participants feel it is a question of how and when – not if – robust, liquid solutions will emerge. By Joe Marsh
LNG drive gears up
The global push for LNG has reached a new level – particularly in the US. Big players had projects rubber-stamped or proposed further terminals, and the inaugural LNG summit took place. Joe Marsh reports
Risk at the margin
Competition and deregulation has led to new ways of running utilities, and the commodity-trading model has emerged as the leading approach. But the challenge lies in how it is applied, argues Lawrence Haar
Banks grab distressed UK assets
Six European banks intend to buy around 10GW of distressed UK power assets usingfinancial instruments. But their main rival, MMC, says hard cash is needed towin the UK market. By James Ockenden
The future of freight
The Baltic Exchange has recently shelved plans to offer freight derivatives,yet rising freight rates should aid the development of the embryonic forwardfreight agreement market. By Paul Lyon
Protection treaty
Matthew Saunders , of law firm DLA, introduces the bilateral investment treaty which, though often overlooked, can be an effective method of affording legal protection for energy investments and minimising energy project risk
Capital calculations
The latest Committee of Chief Risk Officers white paper offers capital adequacy guidelines for energy merchants. But why should energy firms perform these calculations? Glyn Holton asks whether the CCRO has missed the point
FirstEnergy to blame for US blackout, say reports
Utilities in Ohio – chiefly FirstEnergy – were at fault for the US blackout in August, conclude separate reports from a US-Canadian task force and Michigan regulators. But the midwest system operator does not escape blame. By Joe Marsh
Degreasing palms
The United Nations is likely to ratify extensive anti-corruption legislation in December. But recent scandals at energy giants Elf and Statoil highlight the difficulties in stamping out bribery and corruption. By Joe Marsh
Back to basics
Correlation and volatility methods are accepted ways of measuring risk. But areview of the underlying assumptions underlying the statistics used for risk management can identify areas where errors can occur, says Brett Humphreys
Bound by the rules
In his last day in office, Governor Gray Davis announced the Californian energy crisis was over. Revelations from indicted traders, and the punishments doled out to them, will have a profound effect on how the market moves forward. By Catherine…
Searching for sellers in 2003
High volatility and rising prices in 2003 clearly above fundamental levels signal the need for improved guidelines from legislative institutions andeasily accessible information
The future of ETRM
As generation, trading and retailing companies come out from under the dark cloud to prepare for what looks to be a brighter future, one issue has become critical – the need to upgrade outdated ETRM systems with 21st century architecture, portfolio…
Creative challenges in customer-driven risk management
Shell Trading’s Ken Gustafson and Jemmina Gualy shed light on the environment in North America for customers and dealers in risk management, and look at the opportunities ahead for the business