Soft Commodity Futures SOFT COMMODITY FUTURES

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Soft Commodity Futures SOFT COMMODITY FUTURES Introduction to Soft Commodity Futures SOFT COMMODITY FUTURES FROM YOUR MORNING COFFEE AND DANISH TO YOUR HOT CHOCOLATE BY THE FIRE, SOFT COMMODITY PRODUCTS ARE A MAJOR COMPONENT OF EVERYDAY LIFE. By understanding the fundamentals of the soft commodity product futures, traders and end-users can leverage better methods of price discovery and risk management. Coffee Futures Cocoa Futures Sugar Futures An investment in futures contracts involves a high degree of risk and is suitable only for persons who can assume the risk of loss in excess of their margin deposits. You should carefully consider whether futures trading is appropriate for you in light of your investment experience, trading objectives, financial resources, and other relevant 01 Rosenthal Collins Group, LLC circumstances. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. COFFEE FUTURES Coffee: An Overview Millions of people all over the globe begin each and every day with coffee. This commodity is now cultivated in over 70 countries and is a major export commodity. Types of Coffee: • Arabica: This type of coffee was originally indigenous to Ethiopia. Arabica is sometimes referred to as mountain coffee and represents the bulk of global coffee production. • Robusta: This type of coffee has its roots in sub-Saharan Africa and it is often used in espresso and instant coffee blends. Robusta contains greater quantities of caffeine as well as higher antioxidant levels compared to Arabica. Coffee Use Although when you think of coffee you likely think of drinking it, there are numerous other potential uses for coffee including: • Coffee personal care products • Insect repellant • Fertilizer • Flavoring Investing in Coffee As a major global commodity, there are numerous ways to invest in coffee. For exposure to today’s coffee markets, you can use multiple vehicles including equities, ETFs and futures. 02 Rosenthal Collins Group, LLC COFFEE FUTURES General Factors Influencing Price Although the price of coffee may fluctuate with other soft commodities, the market has its own unique set of supply and demand factors that can influence price movement. The coffee market can be affected by numerous factors both from a local standpoint as well as a global standpoint. Some of these key issues include: • General economic conditions • Currency market fluctuations • Weather conditions • Global demand • Government and import/export regulations SOURCE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffee Other Factors Influencing Price Looking at the coffee market as a whole, it is important to keep in mind that while there are numerous issues potentially impacting prices (like those listed above), there are also other costs that can affect prices for end-users. Some of these other possible costs include: • Transportation costs • Insurance costs • Cropstorage and interest costs • Inventory levels Coffee Jolt Expectations for a poor Brazilian harvest have sent coffee prices to two-year highs amid steadily rising demand. Brazilian coffee production Arabica-futures prices Global demand illion as $3.00 a pound 6 million metric tons illion as Monday: illion $2.202 50 2.50 5 40 2.00 4 30 1.50 3 20 1.00 2 10 0.50 1 0 0 0 2009 ‘10 ‘11 ‘12 ‘13 ‘14 ‘09 ‘10 ‘11 ‘12 ‘13 ‘14 2009 ‘10 ‘11 ‘12 ‘13 ‘14 ‘15 Notes: One bag weighs 60 kilograms, futures prices as of midday Monday *Projections Sources: Conab (production); FactSet (continuous, most-active contracts); Euromonitor (demand) The Wall Street Journal SOURCE: https://seekingalpha.com/article/3021666-why-coffee-could-be-the-best-commodity-performer-of-2015 03 Rosenthal Collins Group, LLC COFFEE FUTURES The world’s biggest coffee drinkers Coffee consumption per capita etherlands 2.414 cups per day inland . Sweden . enmark . ermany . Slovakia . Serbia . Cech epublic . Poland . orway . Slovenia . Canada . Belgium . Switerland . ew ealand . SA . Austria . Costa ica . reece . Algeria . acedonia . rance . ithuania . Bosnia-Heregovina . Philippines . stonia . eorgia . Spain . ussia . omania . Brail . Belarus . Colombia . ominican epublic . Israel . SOURCE: http://www.forbes.com/sites/michaellingenheld/2015/02/03/coffees-weakness-masks-bullish-fundamentals/#511047c42e5c 04 Rosenthal Collins Group, LLC COFFEE FUTURES CME GROUP Contract Specifications Contract Unit 37,500 pounds Price Quotation U.S. Dollars per pound Trading Hours CME Globex: Sunday - Friday 6:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. (5:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Chicago Time/CT) with a 60- minute break each day beginning at 5:00 p.m. (4:00 p.m. CT) CME ClearPort: Sunday - Friday 6:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. (5:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Chicago Time/CT) with a 60- minute break each day beginning at 5:00 p.m. (4:00 p.m. CT) Minimum Price Fluctuation $0.0005 per pound Product Code CME Globex: KT CME ClearPort: KT Clearing: KT Listed Contracts Trading is conducted in the March, May, July, September, and December cycle for the next 23 months. Settlement Method Financially Settled Termination Of Trading Trading terminates on the day immediately preceding the first notice day of the corresponding trading month of Coffee “C” futures at ICE Futures U.S. Settlement Procedures Nymex Coffee Settlement Procedures Position Limits NYMEX Position Limits Exchange Rulebook NYMEX 931 Block Minimum Block Minimum Thresholds Price Limit or Circuit Price Limits Vendor Codes Quote Vendor Symbols Listing Source: CME Group: http://www.cmegroup.com/trading/agricultural/softs/coffee_contract_specifications.html as of 5/25/17 An investment in futures contracts involves a high degree of risk and is suitable only for persons who can assume the risk of loss in excess of their margin deposits. You should carefully consider whether futures trading is appropriate for you in light of your investment experience, trading objectives, financial resources, and other relevant 05 Rosenthal Collins Group, LLC circumstances. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. COCOA FUTURES Cocoa: An Overview Many of the world’s tastiest treats, holiday candies and desserts are derived from or contain cocoa. Although cocoa can be enjoyed in many different forms, it also has an equally rich history. The cacao tree originated in Central America as well as in parts of Mexico. Cacao trees only grow in very specific geographic regions, and today almost 70 percent of the global cocoa crop comes from West Africa. Just as cocoa was an important commodity in the past, it is a vital component today in countless foods, beverages and other products. Cocoa Use Cocoa is widely used in the production of food and beverages, and is a major component of many types of candy and chocolate. The possible uses for cocoa don’t stop there, however. This commodity can also be used for: • Production of cocoa butter • Animal feed • Potash • Jams and marmalades • Mulch Investing in Cocoa As a global commodity, the cocoa market may attract not only those needing to hedge but speculators as well. There are numerous ways to gain exposure to the cocoa market. Cocoa investments can potentially be made using cocoa producer stocks, cocoa-based ETFs or futures and options contracts. 06 Rosenthal Collins Group, LLC COCOA FUTURES General Factors Influencing Price The cocoa market can be driven by numerous factors, including but not limited to: • General economic conditions • Seasonality • International politics • Weather • Supply and demand Other Factors Influencing Price • Harvesting costs • Transportation • Insurance • Storage • Emerging market demand Summary of revised estimates Cocoa year 2014/2015 2015/2016 Year-on-year change (Oct-Sep) Revised Previous Revised estimates estimates a/ estimates (thousand tonnes) (per cent) World production 4 248 3 988 4 031 - 217 - 5.1% World grindings 4 154 4 160 4 141 - 13 - 0.3% Surplus/deficitb/ 52 - 212 - 150 End-of-season stocks 1 597 1 376 1 447 - 150 - 9.4% Stocks/Grindings ratio 38.4% 33.1% 34.9% Notes: a/ Estimates published in Quarterly Bulletin of Cocoa Statistics, Vol. XLII - No. 3 - Cocoa year 2015/2016 b/ Surplus/deficit: net world crop (gross crop adjusted for loss in weight) minus grindings Totals may differ due to rounding.. SOURCE: https://www.icco.org/about-us/icco-news/333-quarterly-bulletin-of-cocoa-statistics-november-2016.html 07 Rosenthal Collins Group, LLC COCOA FUTURES CME GROUP Contract Specifications Contract Unit 10 metric tons Price Quotation U.S. Dollars per ton Trading Hours CME Globex: Sunday - Friday 6:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. (5:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Chicago Time/CT) with a 60- minute break each day beginning at 5:00 p.m. (4:00 p.m. CT) CME ClearPort: Sunday - Friday 6:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. (5:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Chicago Time/CT) with a 60- minute break each day beginning at 5:00 p.m. (4:00 p.m. CT) Minimum Price Fluctuation $1.00 per ton Product Code CME Globex: CJ CME ClearPort: CJ Clearing: CJ Listed Contracts Trading is conducted in the March, May, July, September, and December cycle for the next 23 months. Settlement Method Financially Settled Termination Of Trading Trading terminates on the day immediately preceding the first notice day of the corresponding trading month of Cocoa futures at ICE Futures U.S. Settlement Procedures Nymex Cocoa Settlement Procedures Position Limits NYMEX Position Limits Exchange Rulebook NYMEX 930 Block Minimum Block Minimum Thresholds Price Limit or Circuit Price Limits Vendor Codes Quote Vendor Symbols Listing SOURCE: http://www.cmegroup.com/trading/agricultural/softs/cocoa_contract_specifications.html as of 5/25/17 An investment in futures contracts involves a high degree of risk and is suitable only for persons who can assume the risk of loss in excess of their margin deposits. You should carefully consider whether futures trading is appropriate for you in light of your investment experience, trading objectives, financial resources, and other relevant 08 Rosenthal Collins Group, LLC circumstances.
Recommended publications
  • GUIDANCE Position Management Regime for ICE Futures Europe
    GUIDANCE Position Management Regime for ICE Futures Europe Soft Commodities September 2018 Copyright IntercontinentalExchange, Inc. 2015. All Rights Reserved www.theice.com Contents 1. Introduction 3 2. Accountability Levels 4 3. Delivery Limits 5 4. Delivery Limit Exemptions 5 5. Aggregation 12 6. Enforcement 12 7. Changes to the Accountability Levels, Delivery Limits and Delivery Limit Exemption levels 13 Attachment 1 14 ICE Futures Europe – September 2018 Page 2 of 15 www.theice.com ICE Futures Europe Implementation of the Position Management Regime for ICE Futures Europe Soft Commodities 1. Introduction 1.1. In accordance with Rules A.2 and G.2 the Exchange may adopt such procedures as it deems appropriate to establish. With respect to Rule P.0A, this shall include procedures in respect of any specified delivery/expiry month of any Exchange Contract, or in the case of ICE Futures Europe London Cocoa and Euro Cocoa Contracts, a group of Exchange Contracts, or in respect of a combination of delivery/expiry months thereof, limits on the maximum open position that may be held by a Member for his own account or on behalf of his Client. 1.2. The purpose of this Guidance Document ("Guidance Document") is then to set out, pursuant to Rule P.0A, the procedures and associated guidance in respect of the regime for the monitoring and regulation of ICE Futures Europe London Cocoa and Euro Cocoa (for the purposes of this Guidance, “the Cocoa Contracts”), Robusta Coffee, White Sugar and Containerised White Sugar ( for the purposes of this Guidance “the Sugar Contracts”) and Wheat Futures and Options Contracts (collectively, the “Soft Commodity Contracts”).
    [Show full text]
  • Exploring Environmental Tradeoffs in Soft Commodity Production
    Exploring Environmental Tradeoffs in Soft Commodity Production Jen Bowe, Kenny Fahey, Mallory McLaughlin, Julia Ruedig, Sheena VanLeuven, Jay Wolfgram March 2013-April 2014 Modeling Environmental Tradeoffs in Soft Commodity Production 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 5 Transforming Markets: The 2050 Criteria .................................................................................. 5 Beyond The 2050 Criteria: Sustainable Sourcing....................................................................... 6 Commodity Sourcing and Environmental Tradeoffs .................................................................. 7 Project Goals and Objectives .......................................................................................................... 9 Research Methodology ................................................................................................................. 11 Research Sources....................................................................................................................... 11 Commodity Research ................................................................................................................ 12 Environmental Indicators .......................................................................................................... 13 Dimensions of Environmental Tradeoffs .................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Overview of the World's Commodity Exchanges – 2007
    United Nations Conference on Trade and Development Overview of the world’s commodity exchanges – 2007 Study prepared by the UNCTAD secretariat United Nations New York and Geneva, 2009 Overview of the world’s commodity exchanges – 2007 Note Symbols of United Nations documents are composed of capital letters combined with figures. Mention of such a symbol indicates a reference to a United Nations document. Material in this publication may be freely quoted or reprinted, but acknowledgement is requested. A copy of the publication containing the quotation or reprint should be sent to the UNCTAD secretariat at: Palais des Nations, CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland. The views expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations Secretariat. The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this document do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the secretariat of UNCTAD concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of this authorities or concerning the definition of its frontiers or boundaries. This document was prepared by Leonela Santana-Boado and Adam Gross of the UNCTAD secretariat, with substantial input and research assistance provided by Ms. Leticia Gennes Beltrán. The extensive contributions of Alexander Belozertsev to the sections on Russia and Ukraine are also gratefully acknowledged. Recent publications by the UNCTAD secretariat on the subject of commodity exchanges include “Overview of the world’s commodity
    [Show full text]
  • Financialization and the Returns to Commodity Investments Scott Main
    Financialization and the Returns to Commodity Investments Scott Main, Scott H. Irwin, Dwight R. Sanders, and Aaron Smith* April 2018 Forthcoming in the Journal of Commodity Markets *Scott Main is a former graduate student in the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Scott H. Irwin is the Lawrence J. Norton Chair of Agricultural Marketing, Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Dwight R. Sanders is a Professor, Department of Agribusiness Economics, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. Aaron Smith is a Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of California-Davis. Financialization and the Returns to Commodity Investments Abstract Commodity futures investment grew rapidly after their popularity exploded—along with commodity prices—in the mid-2000s. Numerous individuals and institutions embraced alternative investments for their purported diversification benefits and equity-like returns. We investigate whether the “financialization” of commodity futures markets reduced the risk premiums available to long-only investors in commodities. While energy futures markets generally exhibit a decline in risk premiums after 2004, premiums in all but one non-energy futures market actually increased over the same time period. Overall, the average unconditional return to individual commodity futures markets is approximately equal to zero before and after financialization. Key words: commodity, financialization, futures prices, index fund, investments, risk premium, storable JEL categories: D84, G12, G13, G14, Q13, Q41 Financialization and the Returns to Commodity Investments Introduction Several influential studies published in the last 15 years (e.g., Gorton and Rouwenhorst 2006, Erb and Harvey 2006) concluded that long-only commodity futures investments generate equity-like returns.1 This undoubtedly contributed to the rise of commodity futures from relative obscurity to a common feature in today’s investing landscape.
    [Show full text]
  • What Drives Commodity Price Booms and Busts?
    What Drives Commodity Price Booms and Busts? David S. Jacks and Martin Stuermer Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas Research Department Working Paper 1614 What drives commodity price booms and busts?* David S. Jacks (Simon Fraser University and NBER) Martin Stuermer (Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Research Department) November 2016 Abstract What drives commodity price booms and busts? We provide evidence on the dynamic effects of commodity demand shocks, commodity supply shocks, and inventory demand shocks on real commodity prices. In particular, we analyze a new data set of price and production levels for 12 agricultural, metal, and soft commodities from 1870 to 2013. We identify differences in the type of shock driving prices of the various types of commodities and relate these differences to commodity types which reflect differences in long-run elasticities of supply and demand. Our results show that demand shocks strongly dominate supply shocks. * The views in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas or the Federal Reserve System. Jacks gratefully acknowledges the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada for research support. We are grateful for comments and suggestions from participants at the Summer Meeting of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, at the Bank of Canada and Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas joint conference on commodity price cycles, at the Norges Bank/CAMP workshop, and at seminars at the Bundesbank and the European Central Bank. 1 JEL classification: E30, Q31, Q33, N50 Keywords: Commodity prices, natural resources, structural VAR 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Bloomberg Link
    Market Commentary 1 Energy 6 Bloomberg Commodity Outlook – May 2018 Edition Metals 9 Agriculture 14 Bloomberg Commodity Index (BCOM) DATA PERFORMANCE: 17 Overview, Commodity TR, Prices, Volatility Broad Commodities Taking the Bull Horns CURVE ANALYSIS: 22 Contango/Backwardation, - Commodity bull appearing young & vibrant vs. mature stock market Roll Yields, Forwards/Forecasts - Carry is a positive but crude oil prices remain extended MARKET FLOWS: 25 - Copper to gold: metals in bull-market transition with stocks Open Interest, Volume, COT, ETFs - Agriculture indicates early recovery from loss-of-faith lows - A potential commodities perfect storm is brewing for 2018 Gold Outlook Webinar – May 3, 10:00 EDT Commodity Investing Outlook Webinar – May 9, 11:00 EDT Data and outlook as of April 30 Mike McGlone – BI Senior Commodity Strategist BI COMD (the commodity dashboard) recipe for higher commodity prices. The nascent Commodity Bull Appears Young and commodity bull is gaining on the elderly stock-market Vibrant Vs. Mature Stock Market rally. A sustained dollar recovery is a key risk, but Performance: April +2.7%, YTD +2.3%, Spot +3.4%. unlikely. (Returns are total return (TR) unless noted) Commodities Looking Beyond April Dollar Gain. (Bloomberg Intelligence) -- Less than three years into a Despite a sharp recovery in the dollar, commodities' recovery, commodities are gaining momentum vs. the divergent strength in April indicates their outperformance decade-long rally in stocks. Favorable demand vs. supply vs. equities and bonds should accelerate. The 2018 and a multiyear price decline vs. bottoming equity-market increase of about 3% through April vs. a flat S&P 500 volatility from the lowest in decades should continue to may be just the beginning as the Bloomberg Commodity favor commodities.
    [Show full text]
  • Circular 18/236 Ifeu Soft Commodity Futures and Options - Changes to Exchange and Clearing Fees
    SR-ICEEU-2018-025 Page 15 of 16 14 DECEMBER 2018 CIRCULAR 18/236 IFEU SOFT COMMODITY FUTURES AND OPTIONS - CHANGES TO EXCHANGE AND CLEARING FEES CATEGORY Membership ATTACHMENTS None The purpose of this Circular is to inform Members and Exchange Participants of a change to the Soft Commodity Contract Levies in respect of London Cocoa, Euro Cocoa, London Robusta Coffee, White Sugar, Containerized White Sugar and UK Feed Wheat Futures and Options Contracts (“the Contracts”). The change to the Contracts’ Exchange and Clearing Fees will be effective from Wednesday 02 January 2019. The new fee structure is outlined below. Fees for Futures and Block Contracts and Options Contracts increase to £0.78 per lot per side. Fees for EFP/EFSs and Option Exercise are unchanged. The webpage for the full set of fees for Soft Commodity Products will be updated on Wednesday 02 January 2019 to reflect these changes. CONTRACT LEVIES — LONDON COCOA AND EURO COCOA1 , ROBUSTA FEES (£) COFFEE, WHITE SUGAR AND CONTAINERISED WHITE SUGAR, UK FEED WHEAT EXCHANGE CLEARING TOTAL EFP/EFS 0.09 0.78 0.87 Futures and Block2 Contracts 0.23 0.55 0.78 Options Contracts (including Calendar Spread Options) 0.23 0.55 0.78 Option Exercise (including Calendar Spread Options) 0.00 0.075 0.075 1 London Cocoa and Euro Cocoa — futures exchange and clearing fee is £0.79, with £0.01 per lot per side being paid to support the Cocoa Research Association. 2 Block contract is only applicable to White Sugar Arbitrage, London Cocoa/Euro Cocoa Arbitrage and Robusta Coffee Arbitrage.
    [Show full text]
  • Metals Recovery Offsets Energy Decline
    Market Commentary 1 Energy 3 Bloomberg Commodity Index (BCOM) Metals 5 Agriculture 7 Tables & Charts – February 2017 Edition DATA PERFORMANCE: 11 Overview, Commodity TR, Prices, Volatility Metals Recovery CURVE ANALYSIS: 15 Contango/Backwardation, Roll Yields, Offsets Energy Decline Forwards/Forecasts MARKET FLOWS: 18 Open Interest, Volume, - Up slightly in 2017 as of February, March may set the BCOM tone for 1H COT, ETFs - Narrowing crude oil and U.S. dollar ranges suggest a volatility pick-up soon - Reviving precious metals lead all sectors with industrials close behind, but appearing extended - Grains grind higher anticipating planting and the potential for some production normalization - Energy is largest index drag due to extended positions and plunging natural gas - Strong metals indicate reflation, but industrials outperforming is more favorable economically Mike McGlone – BI Senior Analyst; Commodities. BI COMD (the commodity dashboard) Broad Commodities Mark Time as S&P 500 Is Top Performer in 2017 Gold & Oil Battle for Leadership Performance: February +0.2%, YTD +.3, Spot 2.4%. (returns are total return (TR) unless noted) The Bloomberg Commodity Index, flat in 2017 on a total return basis and up 2.4% spot can be considered reflationary due to strong metals, but may have negative economic implications if precious continue to outperform. Precious metals, due to snap back from 4Q weakness, are up 10.5% in 2017 vs. 9.9% for industrial metals. MACRO OUTLOOK Some reversion of position and price extremes is at play, notably in energy, down 10.1%. Excessive optimism for Industrial Metals Lagging Precious Indicates Similar further energy-price gains accompanied by record open in Yields.
    [Show full text]
  • Commodity Option Pricing Is a Must-Read for Option Traders, Risk Managers and Quantita- Tive Analysts
    “It has been very hard to find a comprehensive option pricing book cover- ing all exchange-traded commodities, until Iain Clark’s book. Commodity Option Pricing is a must-read for option traders, risk managers and quantita- tive analysts. The author combines academic rigor with real-world examples. Practitioners can find an extremely useful toolkit in option pricing andan excellent introduction to various commodities.” Joseph Y. Chen, Chief, Market Analytics, Nexen “Being himself a practitioner with a wealth of experience, Iain knows what is relevant to the daily work of commodities trading desks. He uses his remarkable pedagogical skills to develop the reader’s intuition for the mod- els and products before delving into the practicalities of the commodities markets. Many of the details covered in this book cannot be found elsewhere in the literature. I am pleased to recommend this book to quants and traders, who will soon find themselves relying on it in their daily work.” Paul Bilokon, Director, Deutsche Bank “Option pricing analytics for trading commodity derivatives can be quite different from those of equity and fixed income derivatives. This book fills a gap in current literature by presenting a comprehensive treatise on the risk characteristics associated with pricing and hedging commodity derivatives. The author strikes a fine balance between option pricing theory and financial practice in the markets. The materials are succinctly written, with clear and insightful descriptions of the features of various commodity markets and state-of-the-art pricing models. This book is destined to be a valuable prac- tical guide for practitioners and a useful academic reference for researchers in trading and understanding commodities derivatives.” Yue Kuen Kwok, Professor, Department of Mathematics, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Commodity Option Pricing For other titles in the Wiley Finance series please see www.wiley.com/finance Commodity Option Pricing A Practitioner’s Guide Iain J.
    [Show full text]
  • Price Volatility Effects on Trading Returns in Agricultural Commodity Derivatives in South Africa
    PRICE VOLATILITY EFFECTS ON TRADING RETURNS IN AGRICULTURAL COMMODITY DERIVATIVES IN SOUTH AFRICA Chrisbanard T. Motengwe Masters of Management in Finance and Investment at the Wits Business School at the University of the Witwatersrand Supervisor: Dr. Blessing Mudavanhu May 2013 Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Management in Finance and Investment in the FACULTY OF COMMERCE LAW AND MANAGEMENT WITS BUSINESS SCHOOL at the UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND Supervisor: Signature: DECLARATION I, Chrisbanard Motengwe declare that the research work reported in this dissertation is my own, except where otherwise indicated and acknowledged. It is submitted for the degree of Masters of Management in Finance and Investment at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. This thesis has not, either in whole or in part, been submitted for a degree or diploma to any other universities. Signature of candidate: Date: i Acknowledgements I give thanks firstly to God the Almighty for giving me the strength to complete this project. Special thanks then goes to my family for the support, understanding, time and assistance provided to me over the years. To Chiedza, Lucy, Charles, Kito and Luke, you have been there for me every single step of my life. My heartfelt gratitude goes to Senwes Limited for their contribution to education in South Africa through their Bursary Programme. Likewise, I want to express special thanks to Gerard Van Zyl and Pieter Esterhuysen of Senwes Limited for their visionary leadership and professional support to my career development initiatives. Dr. Blessing Mudavanhu deserves special mention for his commitment to higher education and for providing extraordinary supervision and guidance for this project to reach completion.
    [Show full text]
  • Assessing and Managing Environmental and Social Risks in an Agro-Commodity Supply Chain
    Good Practice Handbook Assessing and Managing Environmental and Social Risks in an Agro-Commodity Supply Chain A Editing: Publications Professionals, LLC Design: Studio Grafik Photo Credits: World Bank Group Photo Collection Kathleen Bottriell iStock Photo B GOOD PRACTICE HANDBOOK: E&S RISKS IN AN AGRO-COMMODITY SUPPLY CHAIN Good Practice Handbook Assessing and Managing Environmental and Social Risks in an Agro-Commodity Supply Chain The Handbook has a tabbed structure for easy reference. The following sign posts have been used throughout the Handbook to differentiate specific types of information. This symbol indicates information that is specific to potential or existing IFC clients. This symbol indicates information that explains how to do something in practice. This symbol indicates additional resources or references to support implementation. This symbol indicates key concepts and definitions discussed in the Handbook. Table Of Contents Acknowledgements .....................................................................................iv Introduction ................................................................................................v List of Acronyms .......................................................................................vii Executive Summary ....................................................................................ix Part 1. Agro-Commodity Supply Chains .............................................. 1 Part 2. The Business Case for Managing Environmental and Social Risk in Agro-Commodity Supply
    [Show full text]
  • 3 Excellence in Energy Trading 3
    2006 BEGAN WITH Russia cutting off gas supplies to the Ukraine and is ending with governments and others digesting the ramifications of the International Energy Agency’s World Energy Outlook, 2006 and the Stern Review on the economics of climate change. Security of supply and environmental concerns now dominate energy market and political agendas. Debate has continued on a Kyoto successor – following the UN Climate Change Conference in Nairobi (COP 12) on strengthening the framework for the years following Kyoto’s initial commitment period (2008-2012). Meanwhile, oil prices reached a nominal high of over US$78 a barrel on July 14th before coming down sharply in the following months. And two of the most active hedge funds engaged in energy derivatives trading were recently forced to liquidate their holdings after experiencing large losses in natural gas price and volatility spread trades. The European Commission has also been busy in establishing better control of the EU ETS following a price collapse earlier in the year because of the over-allocation of permits. It recently announced real cuts in a number of allocation plans. And in January next year, both the Energy and Competition Commissioners will give their verdicts on how the EU intends to structure energy policy and regulation into the future. Meanwhile, the developing world continues its voracious demand for energy with the IEA forecasting that global energy demand will increase by one half between now and 2030 – an average annual rate of 1.6%. Now in their fifth year, the Energy Business Awards reward excellence in a number of key energy business disciplines – to recognise those companies that are making a positive mark on the way energy business is conducted, trading risks mitigated, precious energy resources utilised, energy systems developed, environmental degradation curtailed, energy technology advanced, and energy production and consumption distributed more efficiently and ethically.
    [Show full text]