IOSCO updates survey on commodity derivatives markets supervisory principles
September 9, 2014--The International Organization of Securities Commissions today issued the Update to Survey on the Principles for the Regulation and Supervision of Commodity Derivatives Markets, which updates its 2012 review of the implementation of IOSCO's principles for commodity derivatives markets.
Consistent with the 2012 review of implementation of the IOSCO's principles for commodity derivatives markets, the majority of respondents to IOSCO’s 2014 update were broadly compliant with the Principles. Where commodity derivative markets exist and market authorities were yet to be fully compliant, many of those market authorities had identified initiatives aimed at achieving full compliance over time.
Source: IOSCO
Climate Finance Is Flowing, but It Isn't Enough-Yet
September 5, 2014--STORY HIGHLIGHTS
About US$359 billion a year has been flowing to and within countries to support low-carbon development and clean energy projects that can lower greenhouse gas emissions and increase resilience to the effects of climate change.
That is barely half the volume considered necessary, but innovations in business and finance and bold policies are laying the foundations to scale it up.
Climate change is expensive, and dealing with it will only grow costlier the longer countries, cities, and industries delay reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The good news is that money is flowing to solutions, and a growing number of leaders in government and business are taking action. The challenge is that the volume of finance isn’t enough-yet.
view the Infographic: Getting Climate Finance Flowing
Source: World Bank
WEF-Global Growth at Risk from Slow Reform Progress
The Global Competitiveness Report 2014-2015 finds insufficient progress in adopting and implementing structural reforms necessary for long-term economic growth
Switzerland remains on top of the report’s Global Competitiveness Index rankings; the US and Japan move up in the rankings for a second year in a row
Innovation, talent development and institutional strength continue to play a defining role in determining world's most competitive economies
September 3, 2014--The health of the global economy is at risk, despite years of bold monetary policy,
as countries struggle to implement structural reforms necessary to help economies grow, according to the Global Competitiveness Report 2014-2015 released today by the World Economic Forum.
In its annual assessment of the factors driving countries' productivity and prosperity, the report identifies uneven implementation of structural reforms across different regions and levels of development as the biggest challenge to sustaining global growth. It also highlights talent and innovation as two areas where leaders in the public and private sectors need to collaborate more effectively in order to achieve sustainable and inclusive economic development.
view the WEF-The Global Competitiveness Report-2014–2015
Source: WEF (World Economic Forum)
Average daily volume of 7.0 million contracts at Eurex Group in August
August 1, 2014--In August 2014, the international derivatives markets of Eurex Group recorded an average daily volume of 7.0 million contracts (August 2013: 6.6 million). Of those, 4.8 million were Eurex Exchange contracts (August 2013: 4.5 million), and 2.2 million contracts (August 2013: 2.1 million) were traded at the U.S.-based International Securities Exchange (ISE).
In total, 100.4 million contracts were traded at Eurex Exchange and 45.4 million at ISE.
At Eurex Exchange, the equity index derivatives segment totaled 51.2 million contracts (August 2013: 44.1 million). The single largest contract was the future on the EURO STOXX 50 Index with 21.0 million contracts. The options on this blue chip index totaled 18.2 million contracts. Futures on the DAX index recorded 2.3 million contracts while the DAX options reached 3.2 million contracts. The Eurex KOSPI Product recorded 1.8 million contracts.
Source: Eurex
World Water Week Seeks Solutions to Water and Energy Challenges
August 29, 2014--Story Highlights
Water is needed in almost all energy generation processes. At the same time, the water sector needs energy to extract, treat and transport water.
These inextricable connections between water and energy-and how best to manage them for the benefit of the poor-will be the focus of this year’s World Water Week.
Cross-cutting solutions are critical for developing innovative technical tools, approaches, and policy-oriented guidance to help countries develop and manage their energy and water resources in a sustainable way.
view the Infographic: Why Does the Energy Sector Need Water?
Source: World Bank
Opec trims 2014 oil demand growth forecast
August 8, 2014--The Organization for Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) oil cartel trimmed its 2014 forecast for global oil demand growth on Friday after weaker-than-expected economic growth in rich countries in the second quarter and a "fragile" worldwide recovery.
Opec said it now expects demand to grow by 1.10 million barrels per day (mbd) to 91.11 mbd, down from a previous projection of 91.13 mbd.
Source: FIN24
Global growth to slow as populations age: Moody's
August 7, 2014--As populations age around the world, economies will be held back and growth trends will slow sharply in the next 20 years, a report forecast on Thursday.
As populations age around the world,economies will be held back and growth trends will slow sharply in the next 20 years,a report forecast on Thursday. The mismatch of old people to the numbers of people at work is no longer a shadow only over advanced economies; it now extends to emerging markets as well,a report by rating agency Moody's said.
Source: Channel News Asia
Africa: U.S. to Invest U.S.$33 Billion in Africa
United States President Barack Obama has disclosed that the US is making a major and long term investment of $33bn in Africa's progress,
saying that he will strive to increase the US' economic footprint in the continent.
Obama stated this yesterday during a business summit, one of the events marking the US/Africa Trade and Leadership summit in Washington DC.
Source: allAfrica.com
IOSCO launches public information repository for central clearing requirements
August 5, 2014--The International Organization of Securities Commissions today unveiled an information repository for central clearing requirements for OTC derivatives, which provides regulators and market participants with consolidated information on the clearing requirements of different jurisdictions.
By providing this information, IOSCO seeks to assist authorities in their rule making and help participants comply with the relevant regulations in the OTC derivatives market. The repository sets out central clearing requirements on a product-by-product level, and any exemptions from them. The information in the repository will be updated quarterly.
Source: IOSCO
Deutsche Borse and Philippine Stock Exchange sign memorandum of understanding to explore market data cooperation
August 4, 2014--Deutsche Börse Market Data + Services and the Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc. (PSE) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a market data cooperation between the two exchanges..
Some key areas on which the exchanges would like to collaborate include the licensing of current market data offerings, increasing distribution channels for real-time data, and new product design and innovation
Deutsche Börse and Philippine Stock Exchange would explore these options under the MoU and expect to develop a concrete plan by the end of Q3 2014.
"As the operator of one of the longest running and established stock markets in Southeast Asia, the Philippine Stock Exchange makes for an interesting market data partner. By aligning our efforts, we can identify new growth areas and efficiencies that benefit both exchanges’ market data offerings and services. We look forward to working closely with PSE in the future,"said Hauke Stars, Executive Board Member responsible for the Information Technology and Market Data + Services division of Deutsche Börse.
Source: Deutsche Börse