Commodities
S&P launches Ucits version of commodities index
Standard & Poor's has launched a new version of its Goldman Sachs Commodity Index (GSCI) which is compliant with the Undertakings for Collective Investments in Transferable Securities European Directive III (Ucits III). The latest index will use caps to…
CFTC targets dealers, leverage and counterparty risk
Gary Gensler, the new chairman of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), outlined tighter restrictions on derivatives dealers and traders in testimony to the US Senate yesterday.
Testing the metal
Interest in physically backed exchange-traded gold products boomed last quarter on the back of counterparty risk fears. But the industry is divided on what impact the surge of inflows had on the physical gold market's prices. Could the same effect now be…
The push to CCP
Feature
Squeezing more out of P&L explain
Commodity traders are increasingly aware of the need to squeeze greater profits from existing business activities. One oft overlooked tool for doing this is the P&L 'explain', write Akhil Sehgal and Anup Singh
Goldman's commodity record
Record results for first-quarter 2009 commodity trading driven by competitive dynamics, wider margins and liquid transactions
Asia Risk commodity survey 2009
Volatile commodity prices and heightened counterparty credit risk concerns saw dealers and brokers faced with unprecedented challenges during the past year. But some market participants have turned the upheaval to their advantage. Ben Marquand reports
It's all relative
Commodity-focused hedge funds have faced a torrid past nine months, suffering large losses and widespread redemptions. Yet some funds, notably relative-value arbitrage strategies, have performed better than most. By Richard Jackson
Aluminium canned
Aluminium prices hit a seven-year low in March. Is there any bullish news for the market? Roderick Bruce finds out
Farming fundamentals
While the ailing global economy is pressuring industrial commodity prices, the agricultural grains markets have some very different fundamental drivers, some of which appear fairly supportive, finds Pauline McCallion
Iosco report recommends improved global supervision of commodity futures
Daily news headlines
One stop shop
The world’s biggest commodity exchanges continue to expand the range of products they offer, often into diverse commodity classes. Rachel Morison looks at the benefits and drawbacks for traders as commodity exchanges branch out beyond their traditional…
All shook up
The financial crisis turned 2008 into an unforgettable year. The 2009 commodity rankings reveal those who triumphed despite adversity. By Roderick Bruce, with research by Xiao-Long Chen
Hard times for metals markets
UBS topped the precious metals categories of this year's Risk commodity rankings, while Societe Generale won base metals, in a year dominated by volatile prices, illiquid markets and counterparty credit concerns. By Donna Haws, with research by Xiao-Long…
Shipping out
The shipping industry has suffered huge losses in recent months, with the Baltic Exchange Dry Index sinking 94% between May and December last year. What are the knock-on effects for the developing freight derivatives market? Christopher Whittall…
The next regulatory era
Market turmoil and political pressure are forcing the US CFTC to consider implementing new derivatives regulation or face potentially draconian rules imposed by Congress, write Gregory Mocek and Athena Velie
European energy outlook
2008 was a rollercoaster year for Europe's energy markets. Roderick Bruce interviews trading CEOs and other senior executives to see how they envisage Europe's gas & power markets developing in the year ahead
Compliant commodities
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