Structured products
LNG pricing - Moving forward
While the bulk of global LNG volumes remain locked up in opaque long-term deals, attempts are being made to introduce price transparency and a forward curve to the market. Roderick Bruce investigates
US carbon market addresses known unknowns
The election of Barack Obama as President has made a federal cap-and-trade emissions scheme in the US almost certain. Pauline McCallion reports on how stakeholders are coping with the remaining uncertainties
Demise of UK suppliers hits end-users hard
The near-simultaneous bankruptcies of the UK's only two independent energy suppliers has exposed problems in market frameworks and added to challenging operating conditions for end-users, finds Roderick Bruce
Plastics futures to launch on DGCX
The Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange (DGCX) will launch plastics futures contracts on February 5.
Deutsche Bank structured equity sales head departs amid cuts
Kim Gayer has left his position as managing director and global head of structured equity sales at Deutsche Bank, a role which was based in London. The bank declined to comment on his departure.
FSA to order banks to stock up on Treasuries
New liquidity rules proposed by the UK Financial Services Authority (FSA) will compel banks and lenders to keep a 'liquid assets buffer' of short-term government bonds, which will mean a significant increase in most banks' holdings.
FSA consults on new liquidity rules
Daily news headlines
SEC toughens rules for credit rating agencies
Daily news headlines
Legal action spreads to losses on Lehman exchange-traded notes
Arbitrations in the US have now expanded to recovering losses made as a result of investments in Lehman exchange-traded notes (ETNs). Around 20 law firms are now investigating the sale of principal protected Lehman notes (PPNs) in the US, which have been…
Investors opt for ETFs to provide transparency and liquidity
Investors are increasingly turning to exchange-traded funds (ETFs) over other investment vehicles such as structured products, swaps and certificates, amid concerns surrounding counterparty risk, transparency and liquidity, according to the latest…
Barclays Wealth launches more defined returns plans
Barclays Wealth has launched a new defined returns plan series, backed by Barclays Bank. DRP Capital Protection offers the benefit of full capital protection in three forms: a three-year at 18%, a four-year at 28%, and a five-year at 40%.
Protected equity loans fall out of favour in Australia
Protected equity loans in Australia have fallen out of favour with investors as a result of the Australian Tax Office reducing the maximum interest deduction on May 13 this year. The benchmark interest rate in the capital-protected borrowing rules was…
Volatility, correlation and dividend losses sting banks
Volatility and deals based on dividends joined correlation as a major way for banks to lose money in the third quarter of 2008. Like losses on correlation in the first quarter, it remains true that the bigger the structured products operation, the bigger…
Precious metals ETFs listed in New York
Proshares has listed four new exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on the Arca platform of the New York Stock Exchange. The ETFs offer 200% long or short leveraged participation in gold and silver.
SEC votes to tighten rules on rating agencies
The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) voted yesterday for new rules governing rating agencies, aimed at reducing conflicts of interest in the ratings process.
Credit Suisse wields axe after Sfr3 billion loss
Credit Suisse is planning to cut 5,300 jobs following a Sfr3 billion ($2.5 billion) net loss at the firm during October and November this year. Two-thirds are expected to be in investment banking - the primary source of the bank's losses.
Earth Capital Partners to launch $5bn sustainability fund
Former chief executive of Man Group, Stanley Fink, is chairing an environmentally focused fund management company entitled Earth Capital Partners that aims to raise $5 billion over the next five years.
Société Générale unveils 143 covered warrants and 15 turbos in UK
Société Générale (SG) has released a range of 143 covered warrants tracking the FTSE indexes and major commodities, as well as 15 turbos based on UK equities. The newly-launched covered warrants boost the total number of issues to 194 in two weeks by SG…
AIG terminates $46.1 billion of credit-default swaps (CDS)
AIG announced on Tuesday that an off balance sheet vehicle created by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (FRBNY) has purchased $46.1 billion of its toxic collaterised debt obligations (CDOs).
Treasury called to account for Tarp
The US Treasury has failed to provide oversight of vital parts of its $700 billion Troubled Assets Relief Program (Tarp), according to a report issued today by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO).
EU to consult on hedge fund regulations
EU Commissioner Charlie McCreevy will introduce a consultation paper on the supervision and regulation of hedge funds later this week.
Thai bourse plans to add an ETF and derivative warrants
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (Set) aims to introduce an exchange-traded fund (ETF), derivative warrants, gold futures and an Islamic fund in 2009, as well as boost retail and institutional investor numbers. Set also intends on being listed by 2011, as…
Banks cut staff in Europe and US
More European and US banks joined the growing list of institutions to cut staff in the wake of the financial crisis.