Monday, June 2, 2008

Oil price profiteering to be curbed at ICE Futures Europe and Nymex

From The Telegraph:

Two of the world's largest energy exchanges have forced traders to deposit significantly more money when investing to curb volatility in energy markets and drive out speculators.

The exchanges and related clearing houses have found themselves at the centre of the growing storm over claims that speculators have been behind the recent rise in oil prices to record levels.

The New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex) and ICE Futures Europe in London, the former International Petroleum Exchange, have now tripled "margin calls" for some contracts....MORE



From Reuters:

Raising margins on oil trading "dangerous": U.S. CFTC
Raising margin requirements for crude oil trading to quell speculation could set a "dangerous precedent" and drive trading activity away from U.S. exchanges, the head of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission said on Friday....MORE

From Climateer Investing, May 23:
Oil Traders to Escape U.S. Scrutiny in Dubai