World Perspectives

Still More on Position Limits

Dodd-Frank required that the CFTC set speculative position limits for futures contracts based on physical commodities “where appropriate” in order to deter excessive speculation that might cause harmful price fluctuations. The latest manifestation of the position limit debate comes from the CFTC’s Energy and Environmental Markets Advisory Committee.The subject of limits on the size of speculative positions held in derivative markets never goes away. The Commodity Exchange Act of 1936 required that positions held by speculators in agricultural futures contracts traded at the CBOT be limited in size to forestall the kind of market manipulation that had occasionally occurred since the late 1800s. Futures markets for other physical commodities...

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Trade War Positions

Canadians reacted with understandable revulsion to President Trump’s insults to their nation. In yesterday’s election, they were given two choices: elect Conservative Pierre Poilievre as prime minister who pledged to build a better and stronger nation, or choose Liberal Mark Carney...

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From WPI Consulting

Weighing in on strategic realignment

WPI’s team was retained by the governing board of a U.S. industry organization to review a decision, reached by vote, to invest significant assets into the development and management of an export trading company. WPI’s team conducted a formal review of this decision and concluded that the current level of market saturation would limit the benefits of the investment. Based on WPI’s analysis and recommended actions, the board subsequently reversed its decision and undertook a strategic planning effort to identify more impactful investments. On behalf of numerous clients, WPI has not only assisted in identifying strategic paths but also advised their implementation.

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