Latest articles from Commodities & Energy

US energy glut TEASER

On the road to self-sufficiency? The US's energy glut

September 3, 2012

Thanks to shale drilling, the US is brimming with cheap gas and has turned itself into one of the world’s fastest-growing oil producers. Most analysts now expect it to be all but energy independent within 15 years, shattering mainstream assumptions from as recently as five years ago. The implications for global energy markets and geopolitics are profound. 

TEASER Closer connections supp cover

Commodity correlation causes headache for investors

June 1, 2012

Once purchased as a way to diversify out of equities, commodities appear to have become an extension of other risk assets. However, this state of affairs may not be permanent.

TEASER Closer connections supp cover

China drives base metal growth

June 1, 2012

The metals brokerage market is consolidating as regulatory costs rise, but the growth of Asian demand means this is still a valuable business for those with the right scale and organisation.

TEASER-Oil hedging on the rise

Oil hedging on the rise

June 1, 2012

Airline companies used to be one of the only markets that hedged their exposure to oil. But with the steep rise in crude prices over the past five years, many more firms are following suit, and now sovereigns in emerging markets are doing the same.

TEASER-Running on empty?

Brazil's ethanol production industry running on empty

June 1, 2012

Brazil produces 20% of the world’s ethanol, much of which goes towards fuelling the country’s cars. However, in recent years a combination of poor harvests, gasoline subsidies and the global financial crisis have seen investment in the industry grind to a halt. Will it be revived by the elimination of trade taxes on sugar cane ethanol in the US?

Commodities supp teaser

CFTC commodity rules divide financial world

December 1, 2011

The US's Commodity Futures Trading Commission's new rules were passed by a slim majority of three to two and met with much chagrin as those opposing the changes threatened legal action. But with its position limit levels set wide, how will the reforms actually affect investment banks?

Commodities supp teaser

Can the UK stage its own shale gas revolution?

December 1, 2011

The UK is reported to be sitting on enough shale gas to cover its gas consumption for more than 60 years. But unlike the US, concerns surrounding mineral rights, a greater population density and its impact on the environment means pushing ahead with exploration is easier said than done.

French banks

Eurozone troubles bring commodities market squeeze

December 1, 2011

As the eurozone crisis rages on, the commodities markets, long reliant on European banks for financing, have been thrown into a state of instability that is having major repercussions across the industry.

Commodities supp teaser

Do speculators help or hinder the commodities markets?

December 1, 2011

With global food prices hitting a record high in 2011, debate about the role of speculators in causing these spikes continues to rage. Is the 'financialisation' of commodities markets here to stay?

Are commodity currencies coming off the boil?

October 3, 2011

Commodity currencies have posted record gains in the past two years, fuelled by spiralling demand for food and materials. But some of these countries are now struggling to offset runaway inflation, and the rate of inflows is such that central banks are becoming increasingly helpless to reverse the pressure on their currency. 

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