Iosco group to turn spotlight on commodity markets

The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the UK Financial Services Authority are to lead a new international regulators' group overseeing the commodity markets.

A meeting of the technical committee of the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (Iosco) in Madrid last month raised the possibility that commodities regulators were becoming unable to cope with the rapidly-evolving commodities market. The new Task Force on Commodity Markets (TFCM) will be led by the CFTC and the FSA, and will include other regulators from both developed and emerging markets, Iosco said.

Recent record commodity prices had "underscored" the need for competent oversight of the pricing process, CFTC chairman Walter Lukken told the US House of Representatives last month. He also raised the possibility that the growth in swap dealer and index trader activity in the commodity markets, or the growth in electronic markets, were affecting commodity prices.

A CFTC staff report released alongside Lukken's testimony called for tighter oversight of swap dealers and more data collection on their trades.

And the FSA, in a paper released in March 2007, warned that growing trading volumes could stress trading platforms and risk measurement systems.

See also: CFTC dismisses speculation speculation
Vision on

Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.

To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@risk.net or view our subscription options here: http://subscriptions.risk.net/subscribe

You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@risk.net to find out more.

You need to sign in to use this feature. If you don’t have a Risk.net account, please register for a trial.

Sign in
You are currently on corporate access.

To use this feature you will need an individual account. If you have one already please sign in.

Sign in.

Alternatively you can request an individual account here