Foreign exchange
Essent Trading - Scaling barriers
In a frank appraisal of the state of energy trading in Europe, Essent Trading CEO Paymon Aliabadi tells Roderick Bruce about Essent's attempts to overcome the issues that still confront traders, and his vision for an integrated European market
The big freeze
The US subprime crisis has shown how market illiquidity can affect trading. Yet liquidity risk is a fact of life for commodity firms. William Rhode looks at how to mitigate it
Picking up the pace
Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, Sri Lanka's state-run oil supplier and refinery, is keen to increase its use of derivatives for hedging. But that's no simple matter for a government-owned company in an emerging market
EEX - An exchange of ideas
The European Energy Exchange is positioning itself as the key trading hub for Europe's energy and emissions markets. Roderick Bruce meets Tim Greenwood, head of UK operations at EEX, and Oliver Maibaum, sales and business development director, to discuss…
Germany's new dawn
For years a liquid, transparent and competitive gas market has failed to appear in Germany. Now there are signs of progress as dominant incumbents, pushed by domestic and international pressure, move slowly towards a market model, writes Roderick Bruce
Jerome Malka
Jerome Malka, managing director of SG's Orbeo, may have risen rapidly through the ranks, but he doesn't want to make a big deal of it, finds Andrew Holt
Suppliers fight for green
A shortage of green power in the US has left some states struggling to meet mandatory renewables supply targets. Long-term supply contracts could help producers build new plants, but utilities and competitive suppliers are feuding over who gets to sign…
The right clients
A traditional approach to credit risk management is still the best, says Bill Lindsay of commercial property lender Eurohypo. Success depends on winning the best clients, he tells Rob Mannix
Valuing CDOs of ABSs
Charles Smithson and Neil Pearson discuss the valuation of collateralised debt obligations (CDOs), with a close look at CDOs of subprime residential mortage-backed securities
Deception and lies
Fraud
Core value
First American CoreLogic is said to be close to finalising a deal with a rating agency to provide loan level data as part of industry efforts to improve transparency and standardise information. Han-Nee Tay talks to Walter Allen, senior vice-president of…
Credit tighter for certain
Opinion
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac plan $200bn in mortgage purchases
US agencies ready to buy after housing regulator relaxes capital requirements
ECB repo facility 'may hinder securitisation market recovery'
Analysts warn that the European Central Bank's cheap funding is reducing banks' incentive to return to the public asset-backed securities market
More RMBS downgrades possible, warns Standard & Poor's
Rating agency simulations highlight that next 18 months could see ratings cuts and house prices fall
Turning on tables
Basel II
Democrat proposals provide template for borrower bailout
Broad government support for troubled borrowers looks more likely in the wake of Fed action on Bear Stearns. Bills put forward by two leading US politicians point to what form it might take
Liquidity at a premium
Opinion
Europe's mixed fortunes
Opinion
Doubts that UK government kitemark scheme will fly
'Gold standard' plan for bonds gets mixed reception, with industry watchers divided over whether it gives the market much-needed direction or fails to offer any real assurances
Central banks pull together for second co-ordinated bailout
Banks launch another set of emergency auctions in reaction to ongoing liquidity pressures