Feature
The cost of complexity
Hybrid products
Special Report - Energy prices - Opening up the grid
Germany is set to move this year to an entry/exit system for access to its gas grids. But some in the market fear that unresolved issues could cause a bumpy start
Matrix-based IAS 39hedge accounting
This paper outlines a method that facilitates IAS 39 hedge accounting. Thekey element is the representation of hedging instruments by an allocationmatrix. Giel Halberstadt’s method can easily be applied in any commodity orfinancial trading company
Unearthing energy
As high natural gas prices continue to be the largest and ever-increasing cost for oil sands operations, the best hedge is a gasification strategy, says Catherine Lacoursiere
Valid Assumptions Required: confidence level and holding period
In the second article of his series, Brett Humphreys examines the assumptions associated with selecting a confidence level and a holding period for a VaR calculation
Joined-up risk assessment
The nature of risk is changing. Energy companies, well-skilled in managing market risk and operational risks, may now need to adopt a new stance towards risk management, write Rohit Bhapkar, Roland Rechtsteiner and John Stroughair
Convergence in Atlantic Basin coal
Atlantic Basin OTC coal trading is the envy of US and Asian markets, but until recently it was missing the key component of OTC contracts. But trading in globalCOAL's Atlantic products has taken off dramatically since the end of 2005, writes Stephen Doyle
A question of priority
The US Energy Policy Act of 2005 calls for a review of existing power dispatch methods. But replacing today's regional methods with a one-size-fits-all plan throws up many concerns, writes Richard McMahon
Special Report - Energy prices - Rising cost burden
German energy policy is hampering competitiveness, industry claims
Taking stock of SOX
Sarbanes Oxley has wide-ranging implications for US power companies on how they use, and record their use of, market data, writes Sandy Fielden
Special Report - Case study - Made to measure
Deutsche Essent tailors its approach to German energy markets. Will its bespoke strategy succeed where others have failed?
CDM structures mature
Buyers and sellers in the clean development mechanism market now have a broader range of pricing structures at their disposal. Oliver Holtaway investigates
Synthetic ABS is hot property
Asset-backed securities
Canada opens its borders
A change in regulation allowing investors to hold more debt issued by non-Canadian entities has proved a fillip to the country's bond markets. Nadia Damouni looks at how the credit markets in Canada are evolving
Hedge funds - Survival of the fittest
Hedge funds are facing an uncertain future, with a record number going bust in 2005. So what do hedge funds need to do to survive in today's dog-eat-dog environment? Saskia Scholtes reports
CDS boost for pension funds
Pension fund managers have traditionally shied away from using credit derivatives. But in the current climate of ultra-narrow spreads, trying to outperform the market without using credit default swaps could prove to be a major handicap, as Sarfraz Thind…
The great rating debate
A conference in Paris exposed some criticism of the way the rating agencies function. Issuers and investors feel the industry suffers from a lack of competition which has harmed service levels. Sarfraz Thind reports
Market graphic - A tough 12 months for credit
Suki Mann, senior credit strategist at Societe Generale, looks back over the past year in credit to see if we can extrapolate any pointers for the future
Raman Kalra
The director of Fitch Ratings' credit products group in New York tackles some of the hot issues surrounding private equity structured finance
Talkingpoint - M&A in the utilities sector
With M&A activity among US and European utility companies on the up, Credit asks market participants what are the major drivers behind this trend
Corporate action spending to rise
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