A New Normal

Last week’s London Metal Exchange / Euromoney course proved the concept: training can be delivered effectively over virtual platforms.  COVID-19 forced a new normal on us. We have risen to the challenge and adapted.  The courses featured interactive learning and exercises in small group sessions to foster the group dynamic.  The overall feel was close to an in-person in-classroom experience, and most importantly, it was a significant improvement on a passive webinar.

“Astonishing. There was so much information and it didn’t feel like a video conference.  It felt like you were in the room with me” IMR Metal Powder Technologies

 “I did not feel that it was done virtually at all and it was quite seamless.” Natixis

“Emma did a great job adapting the course to the virtual format and also interacting with participants.” Vale

“I also really enjoyed the mini group sessions. Excellent overall!!!!” DMX Holdings Pty Ltd

So now there is no need to be limited by your location, and you save on travel costs and time way from the office.

The June and July courses will service the US and European timezones respectively.  Check out Upcoming Courses for a full schedule and links to secure your place.

Keep calm and carry on

This week’s sixth webinar in the series of LME–Euromoney seminars delved into more detailed uses of LME carry trades, looking at hedging less liquid prompt dates and locking in the shape of the forward curve.  At this difficult time, it was heartening to see so many participating in the live webinar, and engaging with the audience polls and Q&A.  It is proof that the world adapts and carries on.

The feedback speaks for itself:

“Amazing webinar! Couldn’t be better! Impressed! Both the stuff/material provided, the duration and the practical examples are excellent! Thank you so much.”

“I like the pace of these sessions. It is very clear. It covers complicated topics but explains it in a very digestible way.”

The next webinar is scheduled for 17th June and will start to look at the types of options available on the LME.  All webinars can be accessed here.

New Year, New Venue

The new venue for the LME introductory training courses this week proved popular.  Located right beside Moorgate station and just a short walk from the LME, attendees appreciated the convenience particularly when it came to leaving for flights at the end of the course.

The course covers the inner workings of the LME and essential knowledge for using LME futures and options.  Each course develops its own particular flavour as participants are encouraged to share their own experiences.  Gaining a better understanding of LME terminology was a goal for many attendees, and several were hear reciting “Yesterday’s Cash is today’s Tom” after the section on rolling prompt dates.

“A very useful course. Glad I attended”, Sucden

“Excellent course.  Best trainer I have experienced on any course I have been on”. Mestok Inox

The next courses will be Dubai (10-12 March), London (28-30 April) and New York (9-11 June).  Check out Upcoming Courses for a full schedule and links to secure your place.

Getting carried away

This week’s fifth webinar in the series of LME–Euromoney seminars discussed LME carry trades.  The difference between borrowing and lending, and the impact of the forward curve on the profit and loss of carry trades were explained.  An example of applying carries to adjust the dates on a risk position was worked through in detail.

The webinar content and the “Test Yourself” questions were the most challenging in the series so far.  Just 22% correctly answered the first question.  However, there was an impressive improvement to 71% correctly answering the second question after working through the first exercise.  Why not listen to the recording to see how you fare?  All webinars can be accessed here.

The next webinar is scheduled for 31st March and will discuss more applications of LME carries.

We were there

Last week’s attendees on Euromoney’s Commodity Derivatives course were fortunate to watch an exciting closing trading session for nickel, kindly facilitated by the London Metal Exchange.

The flurry of activity in the final moments of the ring, was instantaneously reflected in the prices visible on the electronic platform.  It was very satisfying reviewing the price chart the following morning, relating our on-hand viewing of the market to the price movement.

The LME visit is just one aspect of this comprehensive three-day course which covers the major commodity sectors and related derivatives techniques. The learning approach is practical, with several case studies and workshops offering opportunities to explore concepts at a deeper level.

“Everything is useful and on a high level professional approach. Likes it big time and definitely will bring my colleagues next year.” Sberbank

The course will run in London and Singapore during 2020:
London: 11-13 May 2020 and 17-19 November 2020
Singapore: 22-24 September 2020

Click here for more information and to register.

Record numbers during LME Week

LME Week is always busy, but this year saw record numbers attending the LME introductory training courses.

The courses upgrade knowledge and offer an excellent networking opportunity where topics not on the course agenda can be explored with other market participants.  To give a flavour of the spread of attendees, in just one corner we had Nicole, Nikita and Nikola, representing Australia, Estonia and Bulgaria, and working for a packaging company, a physical trader and an LME member.

“Excellent course and would recommend to anybody wanting to get an understanding of the LME”, Environmental Impact Group

“Emma is very professional and her way of explaining helped me understand all the concepts. She was available all the time, she encouraged us to ask questions and to have open discussions”. Lexar Commodities

“The trainer worked 1 on 1 with those students that needed additional help.” Nordmet Invest

The final course of the year will be in New York (10-12 December). 2020 dates are being finalised and will be available for booking shortly. Check out Upcoming Courses for a full schedule and links to secure your place.

 

 

Listen live? Listen later?

This week’s fourth webinar in the series of LME–Euromoney seminars discussed LME price references, clarifying the differences between Official and Closing Prices.  We had excellent questions coming through the live Q&A, and many are listening to the recording as and when it suits.  Indeed, the first webinar – The Fundamentals of Hedging on the LME – continues to attract new listeners.

The next webinar is scheduled for 21st January and will discuss LME carries.  You can access all webinars here.

From the beginning to the end

Last week’s LME courses in London typified the range of participants in the metals markets.  We had several miners, plus attendees from across the value chain, right up to a buyer for the foil that wraps chocolates.  The materials are also designed to take absolute beginners through to good understanding of the LME, and there are always topics to challenge the more experienced participants. 

“A great course that I would recommend to everybody who works in the metal market”, Nexans

 “Training well organized and well explained”, Ferrero Trading

 “The trainer was great! Clear, concise, knows her stuff inside and out and able to answer questions perfectly”, Vale

Check out Upcoming Courses for a full schedule of courses and links to secure your place.  The next London course is during LME week (29-31 October).  This tends to fill up quickly so do make sure you book early.  The year wraps up with a final course in New York (10-12 December).

 

Keep calm and carry on

So much for third time lucky!  Our third webinar in the series of LME–Euromoney seminars hit a bit of a road-bump.  The technology platform had a technical glitch just as we went live, and threw participants and my co-presenters out of the system.  Luckily the webinar recorded successfully and is available to listen to on this link.  See if you can spot the stutters when my co-presenter and I were elbowing one another out of the way to control the slides and the audience polls from the same laptop.

The next webinar is scheduled for 9th October and will discuss LME price references.  Click here to register.  We’ll be keeping our fingers crossed that the platform behaves.

 

Summer heatwaves

Last week’s LME courses in New York were well timed, managing to come after the recent New York heatwave and missing the hottest day in the UK since records began.  The US courses typically have a smaller group size which allows for more tailored discussions and time to delve deeper into the topics raised in the course materials.  We had excellent engagement in discussions and occasionally the air-conditioning couldn’t quite limit the heat generated.

“Definitely a course I would recommend to novice learners regarding the LME. provides a great foundation of knowledge to move forward with any LME learning or training.” Traxys

“Trainer was excellent – deep practical knowledge, and very effective teaching style and demeanor.” Hydro Aluminium

“Very valuable. Trainer was amazing.” Rio Tinto

Check out Upcoming Courses for a full schedule for 2019 and links to secure your place.  September courses are in London (2-4 Sept) and Dubai (17-19 Sept). 
The next New York course is 10-12 December 2019.