Commodity price volatility driven by financial institution speculation continues to increase raw materials costs for businesses and the cost of consumer goods, particularly food and energy. U.S. commodity regulators are scheduled to vote on October 18 on an important rule to limit control of commodity contracts by financial speculators. European Union legislation affecting commodity markets, particularly "dark market" practices, is scheduled for release on October 20. Both U.S. and EU regulation of commodity markets is supposed to be consistent with Group of 20 finance minister recommendations on regulating commodity price volatility. The next G-20 recommendations will be issued on October 15.
This webinar explores some major features of the G-20 recommendations, the U.S. regulation, and the EU legislation, particularly the status of new rules on position limits and High Frequency Trading that have the potential to reduce volatility and price distortions. Speakers will also discuss efforts to improve the transparency of unregulated markets, which are currently nearly seven times as large as the regulated market.
Presenters
- Karen Hansen-Kuhn, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
- Markus Henn, World Economy, Ecology & Development (WEED)
- Steve Suppan, Ph.D., Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
