Commodity markets
CFTC: Amaranth manipulated gas prices
US futures market regulator alleges that the defunct hedge fund sought to influence the settlement price of Nymex natural gas futures by selling heavily during the closing range. David Watkins reports
White House pushes for futures fees
The Bush Administration has requested that the House of Representatives approve a proposed transaction fee on futures and options contracts.
First oil futures curve ETFs to list on LSE
Within the next two weeks The London Stock Exchange (LSE) is expected to list the first exchange-traded funds (ETFs) exposed to parts of the oil futures curve.
“Enron Loophole” will soon be closed: Levin
Senator Carl Levin, who chairs the US Senate's permanent subcommittee on investigations, has said that he will soon introduce legislation that will increase regulatory scrutiny of the over-the-counter (OTC) markets.
First oil futures curve ETFs listing on LSE
In the next two to three weeks, the London Stock Exchange (LSE) is expected to list the first exchange-traded funds (ETFs) exposed to parts of the oil futures curve.
Amaranth manipulated gas prices: CFTC
The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission has charged failed hedge fund Amaranth Advisors and its former head trader, Brian Hunter, with trying to manipulate natural gas futures prices.
Amaranth in civil lawsuit battle
The Amaranth saga continues as the US Commodities and Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) announced today it is filing a civil enforcement action against the hedge fund and its former head energy trader, Brian Hunter.
WTI, Brent climb after IEA report
A report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) has called for the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to increase production in order to relieve market tightness going forward.
OTC energy derivatives regulations to tighten
US regulators could be one step closer to achieving their aim of closing the ‘Enron loophole’ that exempts electronic energy exchanges such as the Atlanta-based Intercontinental exchange (ICE) from regulatory oversight.
Nymex calls for full ICE regulation
The New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex) has called for full regulation of its Atlanta-based rival IntercontinentalExchange (ICE) following a federal report which said that the current jurisdiction of federal regulators is not wide-ranging enough.
Physical delivery hits 4000 mark on DME Oman contract
The Dubai Mercantile Exchange (DME) has revealed key statistics following the first full month of trading at the exchange. 4000 Oman crude oil futures contracts went for physical delivery in August, a figure that has, according to the DME, only been…
Amaranth report to ring changes
Release of report into collapse of energy hedge fund Amaranth Advisors looks set to change the way OTC markets operate in the US
Analysts question WTI/Brent spread
The spread between West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and ICE Brent has narrowed significantly, hitting $0.95 this week from a high of $7.34 in mid-May.
Amaranth trades “altered natural gas prices.”
Energy hedge fund Amaranth Advisors exploited legal loopholes and altered natural gas prices through “excessive speculation” before its 2006 implosion, a US senate investigation has found.
Nymex reportedly in sale talks
The New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex), the world's leading energy exchange, is reportedly in talks regarding a possible sale to NYSE Euronext, Deutsche Boerse AG or Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc.
Desjardins offers natural resource diversity
Desjardins Group, the Canadian cooperative financial group with more than $135 billion of assets under management (as at December 31, 2006), will launch the Natural Resource Guaranteed Investment (NRGI) on June 11.
Conference calling
This year's Energy Risk USA conference broke the record attendance of last year with more than 330 delegates gathering in Houston to focus on the latest issues in energy risk management. The Energy Risk team brings you some highlights
An air of uncertainty
As gasoline prices soar, the creaking US refinery system is once more under fire. Although today's healthy margins should encourage new investment, unresolved issues of green regulation appear to be curbing this. David Watkins investigates
A cracked barrel?
Debate over the suitability of West Texas Intermediate as a benchmark crude resurfaces regularly, but recent price activity in the US oil contract – which influences the entire energy complex – is causing consternation. David Watkins reports
Trading begins at the DME
After months of setbacks, the Dubai Mercantile Exchange (DME), the Middle East’s first international energy futures and commodities exchange, opened for business today.