Feature
A new direction for weather derivatives
Specialised quanto products are now driving demand in the weather derivatives markets. Alex Davis looks at why this is the case, and how improvements in data provision are making this possible
US power generation: will gas snatch market share from coal?
As the US takes further steps towards developing a low-carbon economy, Pauline McCallion examines the potential implications for power generation and whether gas is set to gain significant market share from coal
Q&A with Claudio Machetti, chief risk officer of Italian utility ENEL Group
As Europe’s second largest power company, Enel has risk management strategies that are far more sophisticated than those of most Italian power participants. Katie Holliday talks to the company’s chief risk officer, Claudio Machetti
Interest growing in Italy's power market
The relatively small and illiquid Italian power markets have attracted increasing interest from energy companies and investment banks in recent years. Katie Holliday finds out why this is and what the potential is for Italy’s power market
Oil market outlook: prices seen nudging higher
Despite recent falls in the oil price, most analysts see prices rising in the second half of the year, with spikes to $100 a barrel not ruled out, finds Lianna Brinded
European shale gas: can it replicate US success?
Shale gas has changed the dynamics of the US markets, but will exploration and production companies be able to replicate the same success in Europe? Lianna Brinded investigates how geological uncertainties and legal issues stand in the way
Loss leaders
Operational risk is potentially the biggest risk faced by insurers – and also one of the most difficult to model. However, as a number of loss data aggregation initiatives globally either emerge or mature, insurers are better placed to quantify their op…
Governance returns
Excessive risk-taking was a major cause of the recent meltdown in the financial markets. Time, then, for corporate governance to return in force
Where there’s a will…
Living wills have quickly emerged as a new measure to ensure banks are better prepared for the next crisis. But clear definitions of exactly what information they should contain and how they should be drawn are lacking
New kids on the block
As the traditional retail banking giants struggle to stay afloat, a new breed is rising to the surface
Learning to Love Basel II
Introducing a major insurance element to operational risk management processes is a passion for National Australia Bank’s Ross Love.
Credit spread widening fails to generate buying interest
Despite spreads widening last month to more attractive levels, investors remain cautious on expectations of a prolonged period of volatility for the credit markets.
Redwood reopens US non-agency RMBS market
Redwood Trust’s jumbo RMBS issuance – the first US non-agency deal for two years – met with strong demand. But will that be enough to entice other private issuers to tap the market?
South Africa opts for Solvency II approach
Solvency II is not just an issue for European insurers. Faced with the increasingly global nature of the financial sector, South Africa’s financial regulator is bringing in its own version of the regulation. But the schedule to implementation is tight…
Hedge fund investment back on pension funds' horizons
Pension schemes are again making allocations into hedge funds, despite the negative performance from many funds – and therefore correlation with underlying markets – throughout the financial crisis. So why the interest? John Ferry reports
Seeking equivalence – the NAIC and EC take different stances on Solvency II
The European Commission is firm in its belief that the US insurance regulatory system needs a single figurehead in order to grant it equivalent status under Solvency II – a view not shared by American supervisors. Aaron Woolner reports
Debt-ridden Spain and Portugal face new threats to credit status
Clouds are gathering over the Iberian peninsula. Attention is shifting from Greece, given temporary respite by the EU-IMF bailout, to Spain and Portugal as fears mount over their fiscal deficits and spiralling unemployment figures.
Variable annuity redesign led by US innovation
Variable annuity providers were hurt by basis risk, extreme volatility and policyholder lapses during the crisis, and guarantees were scaled back and repriced as a result. Now risk management is driving a US-led surge of innovation. Laurie Carver reports
New hope for insurance-linked securities
Since the financial crisis the insurance-linked securities market has been squeezed into a tight corridor of issuance with only natural catastrophe bonds seeing any traction – a blow for a market that pre-2008 appeared to be on the cusp of developing…
Understanding the Operational Risk Consortium’s scenario approach
The UK’s Operational Risk Consortium (Oric) recently published a report on the use of scenario analysis of operational risk in insurers. Mariano Selvaggi describes the issues Oric took into account when making its analysis and why establishing a…
Bond ambition – The World Bank’s attempts to launch a longevity bond in Chile
Attempts to diversify longevity risk into the broader financial system have so far focused on using swaps. But in an ambitious move, the World Bank has tried to launch the first ever longevity bond in Chile. Aaron Woolner reports on how successful this…
Goldman lawsuit ratchets up pressure on banks to get their house in order
The US Securities and Exchange Commission’s lawsuit against Goldman Sachs for allegedly misleading clients has provoked widespread vilification of the bank. But is it reasonable to expect ethical conduct by investment banks to extend beyond legal…
How to pick crisis-proof credits
The credit bull run of 2009 is a footnote in history. But discerning fund managers are finding there is still value to be had in credit; the challenge is picking the right names.
Arm yourselves against inflation, Jonathan Ruffer warns bond investors
Index-linked bonds are where investors will find value as the effects of the financial crisis unwind, advises founder of Ruffer LLC.