Margin Requirements for Electricity Swaps are very low?

Discussion in 'Commodity Futures' started by Con1991, Mar 7, 2022.

  1. Con1991

    Con1991

    So I am still continuing my research into electricity futures such as PJM, Ercot, Nyiso, Caiso etc. I have discovered that the margins for many of these contracts can be as low as $8.

    Since these products can be extremely volatile, I am wondering how it can be that these margin requirements are so low? Based upon the calculations I have done, profit and loss in electricity can be well into the tens of thousands, if not more. Therefore one would expect the margins to be higher.

    For example the PJM Peco Zone Off-Peak January 23' contract, the margin is only $6.
    https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/en...day-ahead-lmp-swap-futures.contractSpecs.html

    Any insight into this matter is appreciated.
     
    murray t turtle likes this.
  2. %%
    WOULD it be because the power companies buy so much they prefer that. ??Dont know that market simply quessing [I'm pulling up a chart now , but ''shocking'' /the current copper price/LOL:D:D]
     
  3. maxinger

    maxinger

    Is the volume zero?

    Most likely, you can't find a broker to trade this product.


    there are thousands of products with zero volume.
     
    Last edited: Mar 7, 2022
  4. Con1991

    Con1991

    Yes the volume is mostly zero for these swaps. However, I do believe there is much OTC activity for these products.
     
  5. you can't trade power futures. only approved dudes can access