When it comes to energy trading, there’s very little that’s 100% certain. But you don’t need to know everything to get a leg up in natural gas or power markets. You just need to know more than the other guy. Software firm EarthRisk Technologies has unveiled a mid-range temperature forecasting product designed to give its… Keep reading →
The decade long reformation of energy trading now looks to be only the opening act of a transformation that Dodd Frank regulation and a newly aggressive – and costly – approach by federal regulators is set to propel into its next stage. Deregulation of energy markets, only partially finished by federal regulators before the collapse… Keep reading →
A high frequency energy trading firm is being charged by federal regulators Monday with manipulating markets through “spoofing,” an increasingly frequent scheme in which false bids are submitted and then pulled back, the Commodities Futures Trading Commission said. The civil action against Panther Energy Trading of Red Bank, N.J., and owner Michael J. Coscia, is… Keep reading →
Early indications of the direction the newly activist Federal Energy Regulatory Commission are deeply worrying, not just for the power industry but for the entire economy, as well as for the future of the agency’s own necessary and important work in overseeing the evolving US electricity sector. Not many people cry for banks when regulators… Keep reading →
The US experienced some of the largest crude oil inventory draws in decades over the past three weeks, which begs the question why is this occurring at a time when domestic production is soaring? Here’s a hint, summer driving season and refining fundamentals might be playing a role. [Sober Look] What do you do when… Keep reading →
Option traders are looking for Norfolk Southern to steam ahead in coming months. The NSC September 77.50 calls were bought for $1.90, along with some July 77.50s snapped up for $0.15. OptionMonster’s tracking systems showed that the volume was heavily skewed to the upside, with 9,200 calls traded against fewer than 3,000 puts. Those calls… Keep reading →
Crude oil is once again showing strength. So what’s behind this sudden demand for the black gold? First of all, we have seen some positive economic numbers come out of Washington. Second, seasonal factors are keeping many oil products in high demand, especially gasoline. If fact, gas demand has increased to more than 9 million… Keep reading →
As West Texas Intermediate crude prices surge on US fundamentals, geopolitical considerations and infrastructure bottleneck alleviation, the Brent-WTI spread is now razor thin. The US benchmark’s discount to Brent fell to less than $2 per barrel for the first time since 2010 – WTI’s price climbed to 15-month highs – as crude for August delivery… Keep reading →
Crude has had an incredible run over the past two weeks. But I’d think twice before hopping aboard this speeding train. At today’s highs, August crude oil futures was up more than 12 percent in two and a half weeks. It would be easy to attribute this rally to tensions in Egypt, but that would… Keep reading →
The big story in crude oil markets over the past few years was the historic price divergence between West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and Brent, the world’s 2 most-widely traded crude oil contracts. However, after blowing out to an unprecedented $27 per barrel Brent premium in summer 2011, the story is now about Brent-WTI contraction and… Keep reading →
