The HC Commodities Podcast

Download here: https://www.flipsnack.com/hcinsider/q3-2023-market-review/full-view.htmlTo sign up to receive the review in future quarters, along side our other thought pieces, interviews and analysis in the sector visit:https://www.hcgroup.global/hc-insiderYou can also email me at pchapman@hcgroup.global with any specific questions and I can direct you internally to best contact.  

Cotton is a commodity that is familiar to all of us. However, the market for cotton is not. How and where is it produced and traded? How is the cotton market being impacted by de-globalization, digitization and the energy transition? Who are the players and what can the cotton market tell us about the broader economic cycle? Our guest is Crawford Tatum, veteran cotton trader at some of the largest houses and now Director of Economic Research and Market Risk at the Staple Cotton Cooperative Association. HC Group is a search firm dedicated to the energy & commodities commodities sector with 8 offices around the world. For more information visit www.hcgroup.global 

Brian Knowles, Director of Energy Storage and Flexibility at Pexapark, shares insights from his extensive experience in energy storage and renewable projects. He highlights the essential role of energy storage in tackling the duck curve and market volatility. The discussion delves into the complexities of co-locating storage with renewables and the challenges of grid interconnections. Brian also addresses regulatory hurdles and the evolving dynamics of power purchase agreements, emphasizing the economic opportunities this integration creates in both European and American markets.

Who really prices oil? Traders? OPEC? Financial Flows and hedge funds? The oil markets are far different than two decades ago. They are increasingly financialized opening trading to a far greater number and variety of participants. Now, as in equities, sentiment can drive markets in the short term irrespective of the physical flows. On September 14 in London, HC Group and Onyx Capital hosted a live podcast event to address just this. Kurt Chapman, Director of Levmet, Saad Rahim, Chief Economist of Trafigura, Tor Svelland, CEO and Founder of Svelland Capital, Savvas Manoussos and Greg Newman, CEO & Founder of Onyx Capital joined Paul Chapman to discuss. We also celebrated Greg's new book - "The World of Oil Derivatives". A fantastic primer for financial trading in the oil markets. HC Group is a search firm dedicated to energy & commodities sector. For more information visit www.hcgroup.global.  

Taiwan’s energy security is on a knife edge. Energy Transition policies have increased reliance on fossil imports while also increasing CO2 emissions. At the same time, China’s growing belligerence poses an existential threat. Taiwan is crucial to the global economy given its centrality in semi-conductors, itself an ever power-hungry industry. How did Taiwan end up in this state? What were the policies and why have they had limited success? What would a blockade mean for Taiwan? Is the upcoming election likely to change anything? And what lessons can the world take from Taiwan? Our guest is energy journalist and Taiwan expert Angelica Oung, Founding Editor at Taiwan Offshore Wind Unredacted. HC Group delivers retained search, intelligence and advisory for energy and commodities markets. Learn more: hcgroup.global/” 

Investigative reporter Zeke Faux discusses the incredible rise and fall of cryptocurrencies in 2021, including the involvement of Tether coin and the questionable activities surrounding it. The podcast explores the dark side of the crypto world, the collapse of cryptocurrency prices and companies, and the intriguing mystery behind Tether's lack of records and risky investments. Faux provides an insider's perspective on the wild rollercoaster ride of crypto and the potential ramifications it may have on the future of banking and the global economy.

Chris Miller, an expert in semiconductors and their impact on geopolitics, discusses how semiconductors have become the new oil. He explores the concentrated nature of the semiconductor supply chain and its historical and geopolitical implications. The podcast also covers the role of defense procurement in the development of the chip industry, the complexity of semiconductor manufacturing, China's strategy to catch up in the chip industry, the story of Huawei in the chip industry, and China's technological edge and the shortage of GPUs.

Logistics expert Anton Posner discusses the challenges faced in commodity supply chains, including COVID-19 impact, labor shortages, and port delays. They also explore the current state of the dry bulk market, the impact of scandals on commodity markets, profitability of container shippers, and the potential consequences of de-globalization on shipping routes.

Walter Cronin, an expert in biofuels, discusses the challenges faced by biofuels in terms of poor harvests, weak regulatory support, and global supply risks. Topics include the impact of crop failure in Argentina, the high soybean production in Brazil, factors influencing demand and price increase of biofuels, challenges in the biofuels market, and the importance of vegetable protein meal and renewable diesel policy.

Rice is one of the most important global food sources, providing nearly a one fifth of global calorific intake. Yet the market for rice is relatively opaque with a small futures market. Much of the rice produced is consumed locally and much of global trade is at the subject of governmental control. Rice is also at the mercy of an increasingly volatile weather and climate. India recently announced an export ban on non-basmati rice, roiling global markets. Where is the rice market headed and what are the trading opportunities? Here to discuss are Lewis Williamson and Marvin Coleman, Managing Directors and Regional Co-Heads of Commodities at HTS Commodities, a division of Hilltop Securities. Their business is one of the leading full-service providers in the rice futures and options market.