News
CDSs on US financials widen
The cost of credit protection on major US banks rose in Asian and European trading today.
Cesr: CRAs show room for improvement
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EC pushes for stronger financial co-operation
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Shell reorganises business structure
Royal Dutch Shell has announced a series of changes to its organisational structure including the merging of its upstream businesses and the launch of a new projects and technology business.
Carbon industry calls for clarity on emission targets
Leading carbon market figures at the Carbon Expo conference in Barcelona have demanded increased clarity on four crucial issues ahead of the UN's COP 15 climate talks in Copenhagen in December.
Syncora worth 15%, according to credit derivatives auction
A May 27 auction has determined a final settlement value of 15 cents on the dollar for credit default swaps (CDSs) referencing Bermuda-based Syncora Guarantee, the monoline formerly known as XL Capital Assurance.
Australia lifts ban on short selling
The Australian Securities and Exchange Commission (Asic) lifted its ban on covered short selling on May 25, just over seven months after it was originally imposed.
CDS spreads tighten on Japanese firms
The cost of credit protection fell on Japanese electronics companies in Asian and European trading today, while remaining steady on US and European financials.
EU overhaul of financial supervision raises questions
Ambitious plans laid out by the European Commission to revamp the supervisory framework of the European financial markets have raised concerns about the possible implications of creating new supervisory bodies.
Optimal pays $235 million to Madoff trustee
Optimal Investment Services, the Switzerland-based asset management arm of Banco Santander, has agreed to pay $235 million to the trustee responsible for liquidating Bernard Madoff's investment management firm, Bernard Madoff Investment Securities (BMIS).
Markit and DTCC's OTC services merger could close by end of June
The merger of London-based Markit's and New-York-based Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation's (DTCC) trade-processing services is expected to become official within six weeks.
FDIC taps insured banks for funds as reserves dwindle
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is to levy an additional five-basis-point special assessment charge on depository institutions at the end of the third quarter to boost its fast-dwindling deposit insurance fund (DIF).
New LNG reporting tool launched
A new daily gas flow and LNG vessel movement reporting service for energy traders and analysts has been launched by shipping information specialists Lloyd's Register-Fairplay and energy trading software company Innovez.
Exelon presses on with NRG acquisition
The Federal Energy Regulatory Comission (FERC) has approved Exelon Corporation's application for its proposed acquisition of NRG Energy.
ASX to launch coal futures on July 7
Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) has received regulatory clearance to launch its physically delivered thermal coal (FOB Newcastle) futures and options contracts on July 7.
CESR: Rating agencies still not following rules on structured products
The major credit rating agencies are broadly compliant with the code of conduct recommended by the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (Iosco), but are still failing to tighten the rules on structured product ratings, according to…
CDSs on UK financials widen
The cost of credit protection on major UK banks rose this morning. The move came on the back of Standard & Poor's putting UK sovereign debt on negative ratings watch last week.
Cesr produces FAQ for Transparency Directive
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Bank of England releases annual report
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Ceiops publishes feedback to governance paper
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Audit finds OTS helped banks cook their books
The US Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), the financial regulator responsible for overseeing mortgage lenders such as Washington Mutual and IndyMac, helped several institutions break accounting rules by backdating capital contributions last year to…
Why the regional Federal Reserve banks are up in arms
A number of presidents of regional Federal Reserve banks and senior staff have recently expressed dissent from the official line taken by the US authorities in managing the banking crisis.
New RFS proposal could hurt corn demand
The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) latest proposed regulations for the National Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) has cast doubt on corn's future as the primary source of ethanol in the US.
Voluntary carbon market doubles in 2008
The voluntary carbon market is maturing fast and more than doubled in size last year, according to a new study from research firms Ecosystem Marketplace and New Carbon Finance.