City Of London

LME Seeks Increased Transparency to Prevent Repeat of Nickel Squeeze

  • Bourse proposes rules to force disclosure from OTC dealers
  • Squeeze demonstrates effects OTC can have on wider market: LME

Traders at the London Metal Exchange in February.

Photographer: Chris J. Ratcliffe/Bloomberg
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The London Metal Exchange plans to force members to regularly report details of their over-the-counter metals positions, substantially expanding its market surveillance capabilities in the wake of this year’s nickel squeeze.

The LME has already imposed emergency limits on daily price moves to prevent a repeat of the 250% spike in nickel prices seen in March, and is now looking to expand its oversight of the bilateral deals agreed between dealers and their clients.