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With historic volatility in food staples such as corn, soybeans and wheat, as well as with energy, the role of “speculators” in the commodity markets has come into question. CME Group is taking a leading role to educate Congress and others about the fundamental factors impacting the markets and the important role speculators and other participants all play in our free markets. Check this site regularly to stay informed about our grain and energy markets. We will add links as new information becomes available.
An Evaluation of the Influence of Large Reporting Traders on Futures Market Performance, Dave Lehman, Director of Commodity Research and Product Development, CME Group, February 2009 (Video Podcast)
Fundamental Factors Impacting Other Commodity Prices, updated December 31, 2008 (pdf)
*RECENT ITEMS* [updated June 25, 2009]
CME Group Disputes Report on Wheat Prices. June 25, 2009, New York Times.
In Defense of Derivatives and How to Regulate Them. Rene M. Stulz. April 7, 2009, The Wall Street Journal.
Crop Cutbacks by Farmers Spell Higher Food Prices. Scott Kilman; April 6, 2009, Wall Street Journal.
What's Driving Food Prices? Philip C. Abbott, Christopher Hurt, Wallace E. Tyner; Farm Foundation, Issue Report, March 2009 Update.
What's [still] driving food and commodity prices? March 16, 2009, Farmanddairy.com.
U.S. News: Grain Costs Down, Groceries Not – Farmers to Cut Back on Planting Amid Market Weakness, Pressuring Consumer Prices. Scott Kilman; March 13, 2009, Wall Street Journal.
Commodity Boom Wasn’t Speculation, Regulators Say (Update1). Chanyaporn Chanjaroen and John Rega; March 5, 2009, Bloomberg Business News
Large Traders Do Not Adversely Affect Futures Mkts – Study February 26, 2009, Dow Jones Commodities Service.
Index, Managed Money Traders Do Not Harm Gas, Oil Markets: Study. Jessica Marron; February 26, 2009, Platts News.
An Evaluation of the Influence of Large Reporting Traders on Futures Market Performance. February 2008, Informa Economics.
Issues Involving the Use of the Futures Markets to Invest in Commodity Indexes. January 30, 2009, US Government Accountability Office.
September 2008 Articles
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June 2008 Articles
CME Group Congressional Testimonies and Speeches
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