New rules to protect investors, improve market transparency and honesty and prevent another financial crisis went into effect on Wednesday in Europe. For instance, companies developing new investment products must define their target customers to ensure they are not marketed to investors for whom they are unsuitable. ———SHEDDING LIGHTThe rules aim to push more trading onto public exchanges, where everyone can see the prices at which trades have been made. ———HOT COMMODITIESThe new rules aim to limit speculation in commodities such as oil, metals, and agricultural products to prevent financial speculation that can send food prices soaring. Derivatives are financial products that are based on an underlying asset.

Source: ABC News January 03, 2018 13:40 UTC