News Centre

Towards The Creation Of The Swiss Power Exchange - Swiss Stakeholders And EPEX SPOT Discuss Market Coupling On Swiss Borders

Date 09/01/2014

he European Power Exchange EPEX SPOT, together with Swiss stakeholders, has held a press conference today in Bern. In the media briefing participated:

• Dr. Walter Steinmann, Managing Director of the Federal Office of Energy (Bundesamt für Energie – BFE),
• Carlo Schmid-Sutter, President of the national regulatory authority Federal Electricity Commission (Eidgenössische Elektrizitätskommission – ElCom),
• Pierre-Alain Graf, CEO of transmission system operator Swissgrid,
• and Jean-François Conil-Lacoste, Chairman of the Management Board of EPEX SPOT.

December 2013: Economic Sentiment Rises Further In Both The Euro Area And The EU

Date 09/01/2014

In December the Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) increased by 1.6 points in the euro area (to 100.0) and 1.4 points in the EU (to 103.5). Sentiment in the euro area is thus back to its long-term average for the first time since July 2011. In the EU, the average had already been passed in September.

SEC Charges Alcoa With FCPA Violations

Date 09/01/2014

The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged global aluminum producer Alcoa Inc. with violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) when its subsidiaries repeatedly paid bribes to government officials in Bahrain to maintain a key source of business. 

Moscow Exchange Trading Volumes Up 24% YoY In December

Date 09/01/2014

Moscow Exchange's turnover increased 24% YoY in December to RUB 46.6 trln.

Leading European Parliamentary Committee Backs Criminal Sanctions For Market Abuse

Date 09/01/2014

The leading committee of the European Parliament for Economic matters has today given its support to a European Commission proposal for criminal sanctions to tackle the abuse and manipulation of financial markets (IP/11/1218). The Parliament’s Economic & Monetary Affairs Committee (ECON) unanimously backed an agreement on the proposal reached with Member States, represented in the Council of Ministers, late last year (IP/13/1299). Under the new rules for countering insider dealing and market abuse, Member States will have to make sure that such behaviour, including the manipulation of benchmarks, is a criminal offence, punishable with effective sanctions everywhere in Europe. The agreement is now expected to be confirmed by the European Parliament in plenary in February 2014.

Hong Kong's Securities And Futures Commission: One Year Into Statutory Regime On Disclosure Of Inside Information

Date 09/01/2014

Following implementation of the statutory disclosure regime on 1 January 2013, the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) notes that listed companies have become more vigilant in identifying and disclosing information in a timely manner.

Press Conference By Taro Aso, Japan's Deputy Prime Minister, Minister Of Finance, And Minister Of State For Financial Services

Date 09/01/2014

[Questions and answers]

Q.

Regarding the issue of loans by financial institutions to Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO), some are saying that future loans should be uncollateralized. The issue with TEPCO is the form in which the public and financial institutions should share the pain, and I think the issue relates to the health of financial institutions. What are your views?

Euro Area Business Climate Indicator Broadly Unchanged In December

Date 09/01/2014

In December 2013, the Business Climate Indicator (BCI) for the euro area remained broadly unchanged at +0.27. The level of overall order books and the stocks of finished products were assessed more positively. The appraisal of past production and production expectations, on the other hand, deteriorated, while there was no change in the assessment of the level of export order books.

Japan's Financial Services Agency: Exchange Of Letters On Co-operation With The Financial Regulatory Commission Of Mongolia

Date 09/01/2014

On January 9, 2014, the Financial Services Agency and the Financial Regulatory Commission of Mongolia exchanged letters on the sharing of their experience and expertise.

Opinion Of The ECB’s Governing Council On The Appointment Of An ECB Executive Board Member

Date 09/01/2014

The Governing Council of the European Central Bank (ECB) has adopted an opinion on a recommendation from the Council of the European Union on the appointment of a new member of the Executive Board of the ECB.