U.S. lays out plan to curb energy speculation

Alert Email Print Share By Nick Godt NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission on Thursday disclosed a proposal to curb speculation in energy trading that would set position limits on futures and options contracts. It would also establish a uniform process for the commission to grant swap dealers limited risk-management exemptions for certain swap transactions, the CFTC said. The proposal follows widespread criticism that speculation had driven crude oil prices to surge to record levels in 2008.