This year has been another volatile one for most commodity markets, especially so in Asia where lower liquidity in over-the-counter markets has tended to exaggerate movements further. In OTC oil markets, for example, the extreme volatility caused by geopolitical tensions and trade wars led to the withdrawal of several market-makers, which, in turn, made entering the markets harder and riskier still.

At the same time, there has been a significant increase in the number of players in the Asian energy markets recently, especially in liquefied natural gas (LNG) and electricity. Power markets have attracted new players due to deregulation, especially in Japan, while LNG trading and hedging in Asia is going from strength to strength. Some of these new players are start-ups, others are the result of international players opening up offices in Asia.

The withdrawal of several major banks from commodities markets at a time when new players are venturing into them, has created a mismatch between the need for risk management and the provision available.

Many of our award winners this year have provided much-needed liquidity and market-making services in extremely tough conditions and their awards are a recognition of that.

Flexibility, tailor-made solutions and the ability to warehouse risk have been common themes in making award winners stand out from the competition. The use of technology to develop new platforms or take existing projects to the next level has also featured highly, as have firms’ responses to environmental and climate risk.  

The profiles of our winners can be found below:

Derivatives house of the year: BNP Paribas

Corporate risk manager of the year: Sunshine Oil

Oil and products house of the year: Bank of China International

Iron ore house of the year: Genk Capital

Natural gas/LNG house of the year: Engie

Electricity house of the year: Macquarie Bank

Precious metals house of the year: BNP Paribas

Commodity finance house of the year: Societe Generale

Commodity research house of the year: Bank of China International

Environmental products house of the year: Macquarie Bank

Commodities exchange of the year: Shanghai Futures Exchange

Commodities software house of the year: Ion Allegro

Data and analytics house of the year, Asia: Orbital Insight

Advisory firm of the year: Baringa Partners

Deal of the year: Deutsche Bank

Innovation of the year: Chinsay

Newcomer of the year, Asia: Pavilion Energy

Newcomer of the year, Asia: Commonwealth Bank of Australia