The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is considering new rules that would bring restrictions to the speculative trading of commodities, according to Reuters. The CFTC will hold public hearings in the coming weeks and seek public comment on whether to set limits to commodity contracts.
CFTC Chairman Gary Gensler said today that his agency would be determining whether speculative limits should be applied to the trading of commodities, especially “cruse oil, heating oil, natural gas, gasoline, and other energy products.”
The CFTC does not set position limits on energy contracts, though some exchanges do. Many blamed record oil prices last year on distorted figures brought forth by heavy investment.
The CFTC hearings will take place in July and August, though no official dates have yet been established.