Feature
Futures vs FRAs inversion baffles market participants
Futures rates should always exceed those of the corresponding forward rate agreement, finance theory states. So why did the Euribor markets contradict this in May, with a so-called negative convexity adjustment? Laurie Carver reports
The CVA helter skelter: European supervisors could quash exemptions
Europe’s credit valuation adjustment exemption was the outcome of a protracted legislative debate, but it may prove to be the end of a chapter, rather than the end of the story. As US banks protest and supervisors review the issue, a number of problems…
Lawyers slam CFTC's "mindboggling" probe of EFS market it helped set up
The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) tried to regulate exchange of futures for swaps (EFS) transactions in 2004 and again in 2008. Then it tried to ban contingent EFS in 2010. All these attempts failed. Now the CFTC is investigating EFS…
Can ECB draw a line under European banking fears?
Before the European Central Bank takes on its new supervisory role, a planned asset-quality review should ensure it is not walking into trouble. That’s if the process is thorough, of course, and untainted by political pressure – sceptics say that will be…
Quants tackle hedge fund operational risk
Quantifying operational risk
All aboard: The trials and triumphs of the June 10 clearing deadline
A combination of hard work, caution and some luck saw the industry through the second of the three US clearing deadlines on June 10. But while it was a triumph for many, it proved testing for some. Joe Rennison reports
Banks round on LCR approach to derivatives collateral flows
The Basel Committee decided earlier this year to include collateral outflows arising from changes in derivatives values in bank liquidity requirements. Their suggested approach, however, has worried some in the industry. By Michael Watt
Bank supervision gets personal as UK focuses on accountability
Regulators and politicians in the UK want bankers to be more accountable for mistakes made by themselves and their teams. But while supervisors are trying to expand the existing sanctions regime, politicians are seeking a more radical overhaul. Lukas…
US power hedging suffers from low prices
Low power prices have dented the need for electricity producers and consumers to hedge with derivatives, while regulatory reform is also making life difficult for market-makers. But market participants are optimistic the trend could be reversed. Pauline…
Ferc chairman to step down
Glencore Xstrata poaches Morgan Stanley LNG team; CME Group adds former bank commodity head; Tullett Prebon hires Icap weather broker; LME chief executive resigns; SEB replaces commodity chief
Risk parity outperforms 60/40 portfolios, says Aquila
Par for the course
Mortgage hedge funds refine focus after bumper 2012
Finer focus needed
Asian insurers slow to embrace central clearing
New clearing rules are not on the agenda of most insurers in Asia, but as derivatives use increases they could become more relevant. Blake Evans-Pritchard reports
Liability modelling speeds boosted by computer games technology
As insurers look for ways to improve the speed of their modelling calculations, some are turning to microprocessors originally developed for computer graphics in games consoles to increase calculation times. But while graphical processing units can…
Lack of local currency OIS markets problematic for Asia banks
The move towards OIS discounting is proving difficult enough for banks in US and European markets but firms in Asia are facing the added difficulty of a dealing with multiple currencies
Basis risk in palm oil market after Indonesia growth
Guessing game
CSOB Asset Management keeps up the structured supply
When third works
Canada takes aim at tax-advantaged bond funds that use derivatives strategies
Targeting the little guy
Proprietary indexes under scrutiny as banks keep their insights secret
Indexing in the dark
Adapting to survive: new structured product distribution models in the UK
Take your partners
Asia Risk awards open for submissions
The only Asia-based publication which covers derivatives and risk management is taking submissions for its 14th annual awards
ASX and LCH battle for Australian clearing market
Two's a crowd?
Too much power: Sefs warn on 'available to trade' rules
Final execution rules in the US have given swap execution facilities the power to determine what products they will be allowed to trade. The entire industry appears to agree this is a terrible idea – including the trading venues themselves. Peter Madigan…
Basel challenges big banks to improve risk data aggregation
Crunch time for data