CME Group Launches Argus US Biodiesel Swap Futures Contract

HOUSTON, Nov. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- CME Group has listed the first-ever US biodiesel swap future (subject to the rules and regulations of the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX)) based on Houston biodiesel prices published by international energy price reporting agency Argus. The new swap future is available for trading on the NYMEX trading floor and for submission for clearing through CME ClearPort starting 21 November 2011.

The new swap future is the first US-based biodiesel derivatives market instrument to launch in the US. The swap future reflects the value of Houston barge and rail volumes of soy methyl ester with 100 percent purity (SME B100). The listing of the swap future follows the successful launch of the Argus Rotterdam biodiesel swap future, which reflects the FAME 0 degrees C CFPP grade and has become the benchmark biofuels financial instrument in Europe. Argus price indexes are also used in two other Rotterdam biodiesel grades for Rapeseed (RME) and Palm (PME).  In addition, Argus price indexes are used in several other successful US-based cleared swap futures contracts, such as those in LLS crude, Gulf coast ULSD, Gulf coast jet fuel and others.

The retroactive renewal of the US biodiesel tax credit last year has jolted the stagnant industry back to life. US monthly biodiesel output has hit record-high levels for six consecutive months, according to the latest data from the Environmental Protection Agency. The industry is on track to exceed the Renewable Fuel Standard's requirement to produce 800 mn US gallons of biodiesel this year.

The dramatic growth seen in the biodiesel marketplace has accelerated the need for sophisticated hedging tools. Argus recently expanded its US biodiesel coverage to include a daily heating oil-soybean oil spread as well as reporting basis differentials and cash prices for both Chicago and Houston markets. Participants in the biodiesel market have recognized Argus' strong biodiesel coverage and pushed for a cleared swap futures based on Argus' prices.

"We are pleased that CME Group has introduced this new instrument, which will help expand risk management and trading opportunities for biodiesel in the US market. We wish the exchange every success with their new contract," Argus Media chairman and chief executive Adrian Binks said.

Argus uses a precise and transparent methodology developed in conjunction with the industry to assess biodiesel market prices. This is available online:  http://www.argusmedia.com/Methodology-and-Reference

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About Argus

Argus Media is a leading provider of price assessments, business intelligence and market data on the global crude, oil products, natural gas, electricity, coal, emissions, bioenergy, fertilizer and transportation industries. It is headquartered in London and has offices in Houston, Washington, New York, Portland, Calgary, Johannesburg, Dubai, Singapore, Tokyo, Beijing, Sydney, Moscow, Astana, Kiev, Santiago and other key centers of the energy industry. Argus was founded in 1970 and is a privately held UK-registered company.

Learn more at www.argusmedia.com.

CME Group is a trademark of CME Group Inc.  ClearPort, New York Mercantile Exchange and NYMEX are trademarks of New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc.  Used here with permission.

SOURCE Argus Media