insto - Australian financial markets

Fitch Ratings says in its report entitled "Australian Power & Utilities 2010 Credit Outlook: Carbon, Capex and Capital", that the credit outlook for the sector is broadly stable, though greenhouse gas reduction policy and the scale of investment required in both generation and network infrastructure could potentially damage the credit profile of some participants.

ASX embraces carbon

As part of its master plan to be ready for a full-blown emissions trading system, over successive weeks in July, the ASX listed thermal coal futures and options (FOB Newcastle), New Zealand electricity futures and options and Victorian gas futures. These products are the first tranche in a suite of new energy and environmental products that ASX is proposing to launch. Others include Renewable Energy Certificate futures and options and Australian Emissions Unit futures and options pending the passage of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme legislation.