U.S. regulators have begun targeting the big-time speculators
suspected of artificially inflating prices for oil, natural gas and
gold. Turns out some of the big guys happen to be small fry.
Exchange-traded funds, which have become popular as one of the
few avenues for small investors to gain direct exposure to
commodity futures, are a top target in the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission's drive to rein in speculation in oil markets.
The CFTC's moves reverse a trend in market innovation that allowed
almost anyone to bet on the direction of energy prices along with
the likes of
Goldman Sachs GroupInc.
INVESTING AUGUST 22, 2009 Small Investors Face
Posted by as2029 on 22nd of Aug 2009 at 10:25 am
Small Investors Face Big Hit in ETF Push
By BRIAN BASKIN
U.S. regulators have begun targeting the big-time speculators suspected of artificially inflating prices for oil, natural gas and gold. Turns out some of the big guys happen to be small fry.
Exchange-traded funds, which have become popular as one of the few avenues for small investors to gain direct exposure to commodity futures, are a top target in the Commodity Futures Trading Commission's drive to rein in speculation in oil markets. The CFTC's moves reverse a trend in market innovation that allowed almost anyone to bet on the direction of energy prices along with the likes of Goldman Sachs GroupInc.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125089891247450703.html