Commodity Futures Trading Commission: Trends in Energy Derivatives Markets Raise Questions about CFTC's Oversight
GAO-08-25
Published: Oct 19, 2007. Publicly Released: Oct 19, 2007.
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Highlights
Prices for four energy commodities--crude oil, heating oil, unleaded gasoline, and natural gas--have risen substantially since 2002. Some observers believe that higher energy prices are the result of changes in supply and demand. Others believe that increased futures trading activity has also contributed to higher prices. This report, conducted under the Comptroller General of the United States' authority, examines (1) trends and patterns in the physical and energy derivatives markets, (2) the scope of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission's (CFTC) regulatory authority over these markets, and (3) the effectiveness of CFTC's monitoring and detection of market abuses and enforcement. For this work, GAO analyzed futures and large trader data and interviewed market participants, experts, and officials at six federal agencies.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| In light of recent developments in derivatives markets and as part of CFTC's reauthorization process, Congress may wish to consider further exploring whether the current regulatory structure for energy derivatives, in particular for those traded in exempt commercial markets, provides adequately for fair trading and accurate pricing of energy commodities. |
Closed – Implemented
|
When Congress passed Dodd-Frank, this matter was addressed. On July 21, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. The derivatives legislation set forth in Title VII of the Act repeals prior regulatory exemptions for over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, including energy derivatives, and imposes a regulatory framework upon the OTC derivatives market. In addition, Title VII of the Act provides substantial authority to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission with respect to position limits for certain swaps and may change the standards for determining manipulation. |
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Commodity Futures Trading Commission | To improve the oversight and available information on energy futures trading, the Acting CFTC Chairman should reexamine the classifications in the Commitment of Traders reports to determine if the commercial and noncommercial trading categories should be refined to improve the accuracy and relevance of public information provided to the energy futures markets. |
Closed – Implemented
Beginning September 2009, CFTC began reporting data on energy and other commodities? trading in its weekly public reports in new categories to capture the trading activities of all participants. For example, CFTC now reports data on the trading positions of newer entrants to the energy market, such as investment banks. As a result, the energy trading information CFTC reports to the public may be more useful, accurate, and relevant, and the energy futures trading market may be more transparent.
|
| Commodity Futures Trading Commission | To improve the oversight and available information on energy futures trading, the Acting CFTC Chairman should explore ways to routinely maintain written records of inquiries into possible improper trading activity and the results of these inquiries to more fully determine the usefulness and extent of CFTC's surveillance, antifraud, and antimanipulation authorities. |
Closed – Implemented
CFTC has implemented a procedure to prepare a written summary with the expiration of each futures contract of the four major energy markets: natural gas, crude oil, gasoline, and heating oil. In August 2008, the procedure was implemented for natural gas, in January 2009 it was implemented for gasoline and heating oil, and in May 2009 it was implemented for crude oil. The summaries indicate whether there were any market concerns, indications of congestion, price manipulation, or Commodity Exchange Act violations. They are prepared for the expirations each month, reviewed, and action is taken where deemed appropriate.
|
| Commodity Futures Trading Commission | To improve the oversight and available information on energy futures trading, the Acting CFTC Chairman should examine ways to more fully demonstrate the effectiveness of CFTC enforcement activities by developing additional outcome-related performance measures that more fully reflect progress in meeting the program's overall goals. |
Closed – Implemented
Since the GAO report was issued, CFTC developed a new strategic plan and revised its Enforcement related objectives and performance measures. According to CFTC staff, during its strategic plan development process, CFTC examined ways to demonstrate the effectiveness of all its programs, including Enforcement. The staff noted that the agency continues to strive to develop outcome oriented performance measures, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations is a primary objective. According to CFTC staff, the agency developed and implemented performance measures per its new strategic plan to measure the results of its activities in areas such as investigations and enforcement actions based on leads and referrals and use of domestic and international cooperative enforcement to make and receive referrals and otherwise provide assistance. CFTC staff noted that this response demonstrates that the agency took into consideration the issues raised by GAO's recommendations in crafting its new performance measures.
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Topics
Commodities exchangesCommodity futuresCommodity marketingCommodity salesEnergy demandEnergy industryEnergy marketingFederal regulationsFinancial analysisFinancial futuresFinancial institutionsPetroleum pricesPetroleum productsPrices and pricingRegulatory agenciesTrade regulationReporting requirementsPerformance measuresSupply and demand