News/Commodities
Italian companies focus on derivatives
New Angles
Nymex introduces trading in western electricity futures
The New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex) is to introduce trading in four western electricity futures contracts, based on Dow Jones Electricity Indexes, on its ClearPort electronic platform beginning with the June 4 trading session, which starts at 3:15…
Tweaks to op risk in Basel II in pipeline
The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision announced in mid-May that it would delay the implementation of the advanced measurement approach (AMA) for op risk, as well as the advanced internal ratings-based approach for credit risk, until the end of 2007…
Nymex to clear contracts on OTC oil and gas options
The New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex) and broker Icap are set to launch an electronic market in options on oil and gas inventory statistics. The over-the-counter options will be offered through an auction process and cleared by Nymex.
Price reporting is improving, says CCRO director
Confidence in the energy markets is returning partially thanks to an improvement in the price reporting practices of energy companies, according to Robert Anderson, executive director of the US-based Committee of Chief Risk Officers (CCRO).
Fed proposes tighter regulation on trust-preferred securities
The US Federal Reserve has proposed a rule to retain trust-preferred securities (TPS) in the tier-one capital of bank holding companies (BHC), but with stricter quantitative limits and clearer qualitative standards.
EU adopts linking directive...
The European parliament has given the thumbs-up to the so-called linking directiveallowing companies within member states to benefit from emissions projects outsideof the EU. By James Ockenden and Paul Lyon
Isda raises Basel-linked concerns
Bankers have been preparing for the implementation of the Basel II Capital Accordfor a number of years. But Isda says that it is still concerned about the effectthe Accord may have on the commodities markets. By Paul Lyon
Briefs
Regulatory Update
Basel Committee delays AMA
Front Page News
EU adopts linking directive for emissions trading
The European parliament today voted to adopt the directive linking the European Union emissions trading scheme to other trading systems and CO2 reduction projects. The parliament agreed on a text for the linking directive earlier this month.
Governments face carbon allocation legal action
European governments face legal action from industry if they fail to provide carbon allocation plans by the end of the year, according to Peter Vis of the climate change unit of the European Commission.
Fitch formalises corporate governance's impact on credit risk
Fitch Ratings has formalised and released its framework for reviewing corporate governance. The rating agency characterises governance's impact on credit ratings as an important element in the assessment of a company's credit quality.
Norway's Statoil sets up emissions trading unit
Norwegian energy company Statoil has formed a unit for trading carbon dioxide emissions. The Oslo-based firm said: “The Norwegian emissions trading regime will govern Statoil’s involvement in the purchase and sale of carbon quotas.”