MARKET SURVEILLANCE 

RULE ENFORCEMENT REVIEW OF THE 

CHICAGO BOARD OF TRADE 

I. INTRODUCTION 

The Division of Trading and Markets (“Division”) has completed a rule enforcement 

review of the market surveillance program at the Chicago Board of Trade (“CBOT” or 

“Exchange”).1 The purpose of the review was to evaluate the Exchange’s compliance with 

Section 5a(a)(8) of the Commodity Exchange Act (“Act”) and Commission Regulation 

1.51(a)(1) during the period of November 1, 1999 to November 1, 2000 (“target period”).2 

The previous rule enforcement review of the CBOT’s compliance program was presented 

to the Commission in a report dated June 30, 2000 (“2000 Review”). That review evaluated the 

Exchange’s trade practice surveillance and disciplinary programs, and did not include a review 

of the Exchange’s market surveillance program. CBOT’s market surveillance program was last 

reviewed in a report to the Commission dated February 12, 1997 (“1997 Review”). In the 1997 

Review, the Division found that the Exchange maintained an adequate market surveillance 

 

1

 Rule enforcement reviews prepared by the Division are intended to present an analysis of an exchange’s overall 

compliance capabilities for the period under review. Such reviews deal only with programs directly addressed in the 

review and do not address all programs. The Division’s analyses, conclusions, and recommendations are based, in 

large part, upon the Division’s evaluation of a sample of investigatory cases and other exchange documents. This 

evaluation process, in some instances, identifies specific deficiencies in particular exchange investigations or 

methods but is not designed to uncover all instances in which an exchange does not address effectively all exchange 

rule violations or other deficiencies. Neither is such a review intended to go beyond the quality of the exchange’s 

self-regulatory systems to include direct surveillance of the market, although some direct testing is performed as a 

measure of quality control. 

2

 Since the target period for this rule enforcement review concluded prior to enactment of the Commodity Futures 

Modernization Act of 2000 (“CFMA”), the Division conducted this review based on the requirements of the Act and 

Commission regulations existing during the target period, rather than on the basis of the core principles set forth in 

the CFMA. 
program. The Exchange effectively monitored contract expirations for potential manipulation 

and other disruptive market situations and, among other things, routinely tracked statistical 

information, such as price changes, spread differentials, deliverable supplies, reportable 

positions, volume and open interest. 

In conducting its current review, Division staff interviewed Exchange officials, including

the Senior Vice President and Administrator of the Office of Investigations and Audits (“OIA”) 

and two OIA Managing Directors.3

 Division staff also reviewed Exchange documents that 

included computer reports and other documentation used routinely in the conduct of market 

surveillance; market surveillance and compliance manuals and guidelines; market surveillance

investigation and disciplinary action files for cases closed during the target period; market 

surveillance logs; minutes of disciplinary committee and Board of Director meetings held during

the target period; and sample Expiration Summary Files.

4

The Division provided the Exchange with the opportunity to review and comment on a 

draft of this report on June 21, 2001. On June 28, 2001, Division staff conducted an exit 

conference with CBOT market surveillance staff to discuss the report’s findings and 

recommendations. 

 

3

 A copy of the transcript of the January 10, 2001 interviews can be found in Appendix 1. 

 

4

 The Division included a sample of MidAmerica Commodity Exchange (“MidAm”) documents and files in its

review. The CBOT, pursuant to a March 4, 1986 affiliation agreement, is responsible for the MidAm’s rule 

enforcement program.

 

 2
II. SURVEILLANCE OF MARKET ACTIVITY 

A. Market Surveillance Department

OIA monitors member compliance with CBOT rules and regulations. OIA is comprised 

of five departments, including the Market Surveillance Department (“MSD”) and Regulatory

Reporting and Research (“RRR”) Department. These two departments are responsible for 

administering the market surveillance program at the CBOT. The MSD consists of a Managing

Director, a Senior Manager, a Manager, a Supervisor, an Assistant Supervisor, an Assistant 

Market Analyst, and an Administrative Assistant.5

 All but the Managing Director and the 

Administrative Assistant function as market analysts, responsible for monitoring their assigned 

markets. 

The Managing Director is responsible for overseeing the operation of the MSD and the 

Registrar’s Office, which certifies and monitors supplies deliverable against CBOT contracts. 

He also serves as the staff liaison to the BCC. The BCC is the member committee responsible 

for, among other things, ensuring that contracts expire in an orderly fashion. The MSD staff has 

extensive industry and Exchange experience, ranging from four to ten years for the staff and 15 

years for the Managing Director. 

The RRR Department is responsible for collecting and monitoring reportable trader

information that it receives from clearing firms. RRR works closely with firms to ensure that all 

reportable positions are reported promptly to the Exchange, and that the information is accurate

 

5

 Since the close of the target period, the Manager and Supervisor have left the MSD. Their positions were filled

via internal transfers from other OIA departments to MSD.

 

 3
and complete. RRR has a Managing Director and three staff positions with market surveillance

responsibilities, including a Supervisor and two Accounting Assistants. 6 

B. Prices, Volume, Open Interest, and Market News

The MSD collects and analyzes price, volume, open interest, and market news on a daily

basis for each contract. The information is used in connection with its routine surveillance of

market activity and contract expirations. Each analyst is responsible for monitoring trading

activity, price movement, volume, open interest and market developments in each of their 

assigned markets. Exchange generated reports provide analysts with trader positions, futures and 

option prices, and volume and open interest statistics. These data are obtainable on-line or in 

historical files in the MSD. 

Cash price data are collected from a variety of sources, including Bloomberg, the Internet

and newsletter subscriptions. The primary and most reliable source of cash price information 

consists of phone interviews with cash market participants. This enables MSD to verify the 

reliability of published price reports in order to quickly and efficiently identify unusual or

abnormal price relationships. 

C. Contract Expirations 

1. Heightened Surveillance

The MSD intensifies surveillance of expiring contracts in an effort to facilitate orderly

liquidations. This heightened surveillance typically begins around First Position Day.

7

 

 

6

 After the target period, the function of monitoring and collecting large trader information was moved to the MSD. 

RRR staff performing that function were transferred to the MSD. 

7

 First Position Day occurs two business days before the first day allowed for deliveries in that month.

 4
Surveillance focuses on closely monitoring cash and futures prices, spread and basis 

relationships, size and ownership of deliverable supply, size of large trader positions relative to 

the total open interest and deliverable supply, and the positions of other large traders. Analysts 

may also conduct extensive phone interviews with cash and futures market participants. 

If a potential expiration problem arises, MSD staff so informs the BCC. The MSD 

presents summary reports with relevant information to the BCC and keeps the committee

apprised of market conditions. The MSD also discusses large trader positions, any

concentrations of positions, and the overall market situation with the BCC. The BCC meets as

needed during expiration and has the authority to take several types of action to avoid potential 

market disruptions, such as recommending to the Board of Directors that it limit trading to 

liquidation only. In addition, the MSD, acting on behalf of the BCC, can issue letters reminding

market participants of their responsibilities to contribute to an orderly liquidation. 

The Division found that when unusual market circumstances, trader concentrations or 

other factors raise the potential for a liquidation problem, MSD routinely makes inquiries to 

learn the intentions of the largest traders, particularly with respect to making or taking delivery. 

This information enables MSD and the BCC to evaluate more fully the nature of the market and 

the likelihood of a problem. This approach was demonstrated during the one potentially

problematic liquidation during the target period. That situation involved a concentrated long

position in the September 2000 rice contract, which eventually expired in an orderly manner 

after successful MSD jawboning. 

 5
2. Expiration Summary Files 

The MSD routinely compiles Expiration Summary Files (“ESFs”) containing daily data

on each expiring contract. Staff begins to assemble the ESFs approximately six weeks prior to

expiration. They are comprised of all analyses, reviews, and actions taken during expirations. 

The files contain spreadsheets that provide a snapshot of daily comparisons of futures prices, 

spread prices, cash values, futures versus cash prices, deliverable supplies, barge freight rates, 

warehouse registrations, receipts and shipments, and delivery notices. The ESFs also contain 

comprehensive documentation of conversations with market participants, 8 large trader positions, 

relevant news stories, and other pertinent statistical data, such as volume, open interest, and 

clearing member positions. 

A major focus of the ESF is the data concerning concentrations of positions. The 

concentration data are contained in two reports, the Adjusted Net Position Report and the Large 

Trader Aggregate Report. The Adjusted Net Position Report details the positions of all clearing

members in the spot month separately by aggregate house and customer positions. The Large 

Trader Aggregate Report contains large trader positions submitted by each clearing member. 

The ESFs also contain economic or agricultural news stories and an analysis of the extent to 

which the news may have influenced prices. Finally, narrative summaries of the expirations and 

any potential problems that may have existed are also provided. 

 

8

 Each interview record consistently included the following data: (1) date and time of the interview; (2) analyst; (3) 

commodity and future; (4) interviewee and firm represented; (5) subject; and (6) brief notes or a narrative summary

describing the topics addressed and information exchanged. Interviews included discussions of cash values, 

movement of stocks, sales commitments, and spread values. Correspondence and conversations with Commission

surveillance staff were also documented. 

 6
The Division examined ten representative ESFs prepared during the target period to

evaluate the substantive nature of the information and the adequacy of documentation. Each 

ESF provided comprehensive documentation of the Exchange’s surveillance activities and 

actions taken with regard to expiring contracts. The ESFs contained documentation of 

surveillance activities conducted during the expiring month, including contacts with major 

market participants and cash market trade sources. Appropriate analyses were conducted on cash 

prices, price bases, spread relationships, large trader positions and their relative market share, 

and possible concentrations. In addition, price analyses, large trader, and clearing firm position 

data included in the ESFs for both agricultural and financial contracts generally covered 

information throughout the expiration month. Finally, interviews were well documented and 

provided MSD staff with important insights into hedging strategies, underlying cash market 

activity, liquidation intentions, and other information that may be of importance to ensure an 

orderly expiration. 

D. Large Trader Reporting System

The Exchange monitors positions in all markets through its Large Trader Reporting

System (“LTRS”), which contains a substantial database of position information. Exchange

rules require clearing members to report daily any position that at the close of trading is greater 

than or equal to the reportable position levels established by the Exchange for each contract.

9

 

Data from the LTRS are used to enforce compliance with CBOT regulations regarding reportable

accounts, speculative position limits, omnibus account reporting, open interest reporting,

aggregation of accounts and any other aspect of large trader reporting. Extensive reportable 

 

9

 A list of all CBOT reportable levels can be found in Appendix 2. 

 7
trader information is used by MSD analysts in the performance of their routine surveillance

efforts. 

Analysts may access data through a series of computer reports and on-line screen 

applications that analyze large trader activity according to predetermined sorts.10 For example, 

analysts can monitor position data via the Large Trader Omnis 7 Report. This report lists, by

firm, each reportable account and position. The report can be sorted in a number of ways, 

including by date, firm, account number, account name, and commodity.

11 Another report, the 

Large Trader Report, identifies new reportable traders. This report allows the MSD to become

familiar with the identities of reportable traders and monitor effectively accounts that should or 

could be aggregated for speculative limit purposes.

12

Other daily reports monitor open interest reporting. For example, the Audit Exception 

Report sets forth each individual firm’s reported open interest and large trader positions on a 

daily basis. This report indicates when open interest and large trader positions do not reconcile, 

such as when a firm double reports or fails to report large trader positions.13 Exchange staff will 

contact firms to collect any missing data and resolve any discrepancies between a firm’s open 

interest and its reportable trader positions. 

__________________________ 

10 The large trader reporting system maintains six months of large trader data on-line, after which time data are 

archived for five years.

11 A copy of the Large Trader Omnis 7 Report can be found in Appendix 3 

12 A CFTC Form 102, which contains, among other things, account ownership and control information, is requested 

for each new large trader. The Form 102 information is entered into the LTRS for aggregation purposes. A copy of

the Large Trader Report can be found in Appendix 4. 

13 A copy of the Audit Exception Report can be found in Appendix 5. 

 8
In this regard, one clearing firm inadvertently neglected to report a portion of its open 

interest in January 2000 Fed Funds futures to the Board of Trade Clearing Corporation 

(“BOTCC”) from July 19 to November 1, 2000.14 The firm also did not report large trader 

positions in that contract to either the CBOT or the Commission. However, because the Audit 

Exception Report is not useful in detecting instances where firms neglect to report both open 

interest and large trader positions, the anomaly went undetected until September 8, 2000. At that 

time, the Commission’s surveillance staff found a substantial discrepancy between long and 

short open interest in the January 2000 contract, such that aggregate reportable large trader long

positions greatly exceeded short open interest. Commission staff referred the discrepancy to the 

MSD and the BOTCC via telephone on September 8th and, upon investigation, the CBOT, on 

November 6, 2000, fined the clearing firm $15,000 for reporting violations. 

Although the Exchange did not identify the discrepancy, the incident appears to have 

been a unique occurrence, and the CBOT and BOTCC have taken steps to help identify such 

anomalies in the future. Specifically, since the violations, the BOTCC has developed, and shares 

with the MSD, an exception report that compares changes in open interest to daily volume by

clearing firm. In addition, the MSD now routinely investigates differences in long and short 

open interest. Both of these steps should be useful in identifying similar instances of reporting

violations. 

 

14 The firm’s computer system categorizes accounts into various levels and subclasses, some of which involve 

automatic position reporting to the Exchange and to the Commission. The error occurred when operational 

considerations moved an account from a subclass that was being reported to one that was not being reported. 

Correction of the error involved changing the non-reporting subclass to a reporting one. 

 9
E. Enforcement of Speculative Position Limits and Exemptions

1. Speculative Limits 

The MSD also is responsible for enforcing the CBOT’s speculative position limit rules.15 

On a daily basis, analysts review the Large Trader Exception Report, which shows accounts that 

are over position limits in a given commodity by contract month and all future months 

combined.

16 The report includes gross futures and options positions, as well as net futuresequivalent positions.17 Once a position appears on the Large Trader Exception Report, the 

analyst verifies with each reporting futures commission merchant (“FCM”) that the position is 

accurate. The MSD then instructs the FCM(s) and/or the account either to reduce the position or 

to apply for an exemption to the position limits, if eligible. If the account does not appear to be 

eligible for a position limit exemption or does not intend to apply for such an exemption, MSD 

opens a position limit investigation, which is entered into a case log. 

Pursuant to Exchange procedures, the first time an account (or aggregated accounts) 

exceeds a position limit, a reminder letter is sent to that account, regardless of whether it’s the 

account of a member or a non-member. A reminder letter is also sent to the FCM(s) carrying the 

position. If that account exceeds the position limit again in the same commodity within 12 

months, the matter will be referred to the BCC with a recommendation from the MSD for

disciplinary action. Of course, only members can be charged and sanctioned. Thus, if a non-

 

15 CBOT rules 425.01 and 495.01 govern position limits and reportable positions in futures and options, 

respectively. 

 

16 A copy of the Large Trader Exception Report can be found in Appendix 6. 

17 Generally, position limits are expressed in futures-equivalent contracts. The only CBOT contracts that had

separate option position limits are the Catastrophe Insurance option contracts. 

 10
member account is found to be in violation of position limits, the FCM(s) that carried the 

position is subject to disciplinary action. 

During the target period, the MSD closed 29 position limit investigations. All 

investigations involved CBOT grains, except for one investigation involving 10-year Agency

Notes and one involving MidAm corn. Twenty-two of these investigations pertained to spot 

month position limits. Typically these involved entities that inadvertently exceeded spot month 

limits on the first day for which those limits were in effect or entities that had issued a notice of

intention to deliver at the start of the spot month (but delivery had not yet occurred), leaving a 

spot month position that was not in excess of limits. Fourteen of the 29 investigations resulted in 

the issuance of reminder letters. The remaining 15 were closed with no violations found. 

Division staff reviewed 15 position limit investigation files for adequacy. The

investigations were thorough, well documented, and completed in a timely manner.

18 The 

Division notes one investigation, however, that it believes should have been referred to the BCC 

for possible disciplinary action.19 In that matter, an account exceeded the March 2000 soybean 

spot position limit by 50 contracts. The account had previously exceeded the single month 

position limit in December 1999 soybean oil by 93 contracts, the spot month limit in March 1997 

corn by 300 contracts, and the spot month limit in December 1996 corn by 434 contracts.20 

 

18 Typically, each file contained the following: a report summarizing and closing the investigation; a Speculative 

Limit Review form which documents the steps taken during the investigation; copies of appropriate correspondence 

with FCMs requesting and producing account statements and other relevant documents; various Large Trader 

position reports; a spreadsheet illustrating the subject positions during the time in which position limits were 

exceeded until the position comes into compliance; copies of CFTC warning letters issued in the matter; and copies 

of any reminder letters issued to the account and FCMs. 

 

19 Investigation No. 00-RRI-007. 

20 Investigation Nos. 99-RRI-029, 97-RRI-003, and 96-RRI-033. 

 11
Because the owner of the account was a non-member and the Exchange had no disciplinary

authority, and consistent with Exchange policy, the MSD issued a reminder letter to the account 

owner. However, the individual controlling the trading in the account was a full member and the 

account owner’s spouse. In light of the account controller’s status as a full member and the 

account’s history of exceeding speculative limits in three of the previous four years, the Division 

believes the matter should have been forwarded to the BCC for consideration of further action.21

2. Speculative Limit Exemptions 

Pursuant to Exchange rules, speculative limit exemptions may be granted for bona fide 

hedges and, for non-agricultural commodities, risk management positions, cash/futures arbitrage, 

intra-market spreads, and inter-market spreads.22 Exemptions to position limits, otherwise

known as “hedge exemptions,” are not granted to speculators. There are separate applications 

for agricultural and financial commodities. Each application requests that the hedger or spreader

specify, in contract equivalents, the maximum number of contracts, long or short, sought for 

exemption for all contract months combined. The application also requires a statement that the 

intended positions are consistent with the Exchange’s definition of bona fide hedging and a 

justification for the exemption. 

Position limit applications are either submitted in anticipation of exceeding a position 

limit or as a result of exceeding a position limit. Accounts that exceed a position limit in any

__________________________ 

21 In addition, although it is MSD procedure to send a reminder letter to first-time speculative limit violators and 

their carrying firms, Division staff noted two instances where reminder letters were not sent to the carrying FCMs. 

See Investigation Nos. 00-RRI-002 and 00-RRI-008. 

22 CBOT rules 425.02, 425.03, and 425.04 describe requirements and categories of allowable position limit 

exemptions in futures contracts. Similarly, rules 495.02, 495.03, and 495.04 govern position limit exemptions for 

option contracts.

 12
commodity are required to submit a hedge exemption application within 10 business days. In

addition, accounts that exceed a spot month position limit are required to submit cash position 

documentation within five business days. 

When deciding whether or not to grant an exemption from position limits, MSD staff

considers the applicant’s cash positions, anticipatory cash positions, liquidity of the 

futures/options contract for which the exemption is requested, the economics of the cash/futures 

relationship, and other exemptions of a similar nature which have been granted. Position limit 

exemptions are expressed in terms of the number of contracts by which an account may exceed 

applicable position limits and are granted for a period of 18 months. Applicants must submit a

supplemental application if there are material changes to the information provided in the most 

recent filing. After 18 months, each previously approved exemption is updated by MSD if and 

when the account is in excess of position limits. During this process, MSD requests updated 

cash/hedging information and re-examines how the account’s exemption is used to hedge. The 

MSD maintains a “Hedge List” database that describes approved hedge exemptions, including

expired exemptions, which have been initiated or renewed since 1989.23 

During the target period, MSD had 200 approved hedge exemptions in place for 85 

applicants. Some applicants have exemptions in multiple commodities, and others have

exemptions in a single commodity, but through accounts at multiple FCMs. One hundred 

__________________________ 

23 The list includes the name and code number identifying the FCM through which the exemption application was 

made, the account name and number, the Exchange Index number (by which commonly owned and/or controlled 

accounts are aggregated), the commodity, the number of contracts approved in excess of the position limit on the 

long and the short side separately, the reason the exemption was approved, the date of initial approval, the date of

the most recent renewal, the expiration date of the exemption, and relevant notes pertaining to the account being

exempted. A recent copy of the Hedge List may be found in Appendix 7. 

 13
twenty-seven of the 200 exemptions, for 58 different applicants, were either initiated or renewed 

during the target period. Division staff reviewed six representative exemption files for 

completeness. These files included exemption applications for corn, wheat, soybeans, soybean 

meal, Ten-year Agency, and Two-year Treasury Note futures contracts. Two of these applicants 

filed for multiple exemptions. Each file was well documented and complete, containing the

application and appropriate justification, sufficient cash market information (often a CFTC Form 

204), 24 an MSD worksheet used to help determine an appropriate exemption level, CBOT 

position reports, and relevant correspondence and memoranda. Further, both financial market 

exemption files included appropriate duration ratio analyses.

25 

3. Position Accountability

Position accountability rules exist for 30-year Treasury Bond, 10-year Treasury Note, and 

Five-year Treasury Note futures and options contracts, as well as for 30-day Fed Funds futures. 

In place of absolute position limits, the accountability rules mandate levels at which large traders 

may be required to respond to special requests by the Exchange for information relating to their

positions. Specifically, the accountability rules provide that any trader who exceeds the former

speculative position limits will be required to provide “in a timely manner upon request by the 

 

24 CFTC Form 204 contains information about cash positions in grains and soybean products and is required from

any reportable trader positions in excess of federally imposed position limits. 

25 Duration is a measure of the sensitivity of the price of a bond with respect to changes in interest rates. Bonds with

different cash flows (different maturities, coupon rates, and coupon dates) have different sensitivities to changes in

interest rates. A duration-based hedge ratio is the conventional, although not the only, method to hedge against 

price changes of a fixed-income instrument. MSD routinely considers the duration of a portfolio of fixed-income

instruments to determine the appropriate number of futures contracts needed to hedge that portfolio. 

 14
Association, information regarding the nature of the position, trading strategy, and hedging

information if applicable.”

26

Generally, the MSD does not find it necessary to formally invoke the accountability rules 

to collect information about positions. The MSD surveillance analysts regularly contact major

participants in CBOT markets to gather information regarding the nature of positions, trading

strategies, and hedging information. These communications between MSD and market 

participants are clearly reflected in the ESFs reviewed by Division staff. It is MSD procedure for 

each analyst to maintain contact with market participants, both during and outside expiration 

months, and to build a rapport with those participants. Usually, MSD speaks directly with the 

person making trading decisions for a particular trading entity. It should also be noted that MSD 

contacts a market participant without regard to whether or not that participant is a member of the 

Exchange. The MSD believes that by building lines of communication with major participants, 

it is able to routinely collect necessary surveillance information in a timely way. However, MSD 

is prepared to formally invoke its accountability rules if needed. 

The trading position, trading strategy, and cash market information routinely collected by

MSD staff and evident in the ESF files, represent an adequate program to monitor positions in 

excess of the former position limits in commodities for which position accountability rules now 

apply.

 

26 Rules 425.06, 425.07, and 425.08 govern position accountability in Treasury Bond, Treasury Note, and Fed Funds

futures contracts, respectively. Rules 495.06 and 495.07 govern position accountability in Treasury Bond and 

Treasury Note option contracts, respectively.

 15
F. Exchange of Futures for Physicals 

CBOT Regulations 444.01 and 444.02 authorize and govern EFPs. EFPs may be

executed at such prices as are mutually agreed upon by the two parties to the transaction. The 

member firms clearing an EFP transaction must subsequently approve the terms of the 

transaction, including the clearing firm, price, quantity, commodity, contract month, and date 

prior to submitting the transaction to the BOTCC. An EFP is not considered to be bona fide if 

the parties execute another cash transaction that is contingent upon the EFP and that 

economically offsets the cash portion of the EFP transaction.27 

EFPs must involve only two parties such that the seller of the futures is the buyer of cash, 

and the seller of cash is the buyer of futures. Separate profit centers of the same legal entity,

which are under separate trading control, may engage in EFP transactions with each other. In

cases where the parties to an EFP involve the same legal entity, same beneficial ownership, or 

separate entities under common control, the parties must demonstrate that the EFP was a 

legitimate arms length transaction. 

 The Exchange requires third-party documentation that the cash portion of the transaction 

was indeed exchanged, whenever applicable. For T-Bonds and T-Notes, acceptable third-party

documents include a Federal Reserve Wire Transfer, or a bank confirmation, but do not include 

internal bookkeeping documents of a firm involved in the transaction. For financial EFPs where 

the two parties execute an independent cash transaction, which would normally be netted out 

 

27 However, in accordance with a Notice to Members dated January 6, 2000, the following is permitted for the 

purpose of obtaining inventory financing for an agricultural commodity: “Through the medium of an EFP, and in

accordance with Exchange rules and regulations, a participant may purchase grain from and sell offsetting futures

contracts to a counter-party. Simultaneously with the EFP, the participant may grant to the counter-party the non-

 16
against the cash portion of the EFP transaction, the same independent third-party documentation 

of the transfer of the cash portion of the EFP, i.e., a Government Securities Clearing Corporation 

netting confirmation, is requested. Copies of warehouse receipts showing the proper 

endorsements and checks for payment are required if used as the cash portion of a grain EFP, and 

a copy of the cash contract is required for forwards that are used as the cash portion of an EFP. 

The MSD routinely reviews EFPs to ensure that the transactions are bona fide and that all

required cash documentation exists. Approximately 30 inquiries are conducted each year. The 

MSD uses its on-line Cleared EFP Report, which lists data pertaining to all EFP transactions for

the previous year and the ability to sort these data in various ways, to select EFPs for review. 

EFP transactions are chosen for review based upon various criteria including, but not limited to, 

the size of the transaction (unusually small or large), the same clearing firm is on both sides of 

the EFP, the futures leg is priced outside the daily range for that contract,

28 the EFP is executed 

after the last trading day, or the nature of the account or apparent relationship between the 

accounts for which the EFP was executed raise questions. 

During the target period, the MSD closed 27 EFP investigations, 14 pertaining to 

financial products and 13 pertaining to agricultural commodities. For the purpose of evaluating

the adequacy and timeliness of Exchange EFP investigations, Division staff reviewed 16 of the

27 closed investigations. The files were well documented and completed in a timely manner. 

__________________________ 

transferable right to effect a second EFP on some date certain in the future which will have the effect of reversing

the original EFP. 

28 While pricing the futures leg of an EFP transaction outside of the day’s trading range is not a violation of

Exchange rules, most EFPs are priced at current market prices. If the legs of an EFP are priced away from current

market levels, it may indicate a motivation that is not purely economic. The differential between the futures and 

cash prices (the basis) of a bona fide EFP must reflect the market price. 

 

 17
Each file included an Investigative Summary Report, which described the salient features of the 

review; a “T-chart” describing the flow of cash and futures; a detailed activity log listing all 

pertinent communications and steps in the investigation; pertinent cash documentation; an 

analysis of the appropriateness of the ratio of cash and futures contracts exchanged; futures order 

tickets; account statements; and all relevant correspondence. The MSD routinely analyzed the 

futures price relative to the day’s trading range, as well as the price differential (basis price) at

which the cash and futures contracts were exchanged to determine if the differential reflected 

market prices. 

Of the 27 EFP investigations closed during the target period, only three were open for an 

extended period of time. These investigations took from 10 to 21 months to complete. 

However, the complexity of the three investigations justified the additional time necessary for 

completion. In addition, each of the three resulted in sanctions, as discussed below. 

G. Adequacy of Market Surveillance Investigations 

Exclusive of speculative limit and EFP investigations, the MSD closed five additional 

investigations during the target period. Division staff reviewed all five of these investigations 

for adequacy and timeliness. Two of these investigations involved clearing firms that 

misreported open interest;29 one involved a clearing firm that improperly offset positions during

a delivery month;30 another involved a clearing firm that failed to report long positions, which 

impacted delivery assignments;31 and one involved a decorum violation.32 Of the five 

 

29 Investigation Nos. 00-RRI-006 and 00-RRI-023. 

30 Investigation No. 99-RRI-046. 

31 Investigation No. 00-MSI-01.

 18
investigations, four resulted in sanctions and one resulted in the issuance of a reminder letter. 

All of these investigations were completed expeditiously, and were conducted in a thorough

manner. 

III. MARKET SURVEILLANCE DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS 

A. Sanctions 

During the target period, nine MSD cases were presented to the BCC for consideration of 

disciplinary action. Four of the cases involved EFP transactions, three involved position or open 

interest reporting, one involved a position limit violation, and one involved supervision and 

decorum. The cases resulted in 10 monetary sanctions totaling $192,250, two cease and desist 

orders, and two reminder letters. 

The largest sanction of $125,000 was levied against a member firm for executing

contingent EFPs; a sanction of $30,000 was levied against a clearing firm for failing to report a 

long position which was eligible for delivery; and sanctions of $15,000 and $5,000, respectively,

were levied against clearing firms for executing contingent EFPs. Three other $5,000 fines were 

levied against clearing firms, one for misreporting open interest; one for misreporting option 

positions; and one for supervision and decorum offenses. Sanctions of $1,000 each were levied 

against two member firms for executing an EFP transaction in which there was no exchange of 

the cash commodity; and a $250 fine was levied against a registered floor clerk for a decorum 

offense. No disciplinary hearings were held during the target period; all of the penalties imposed

__________________________ 

32 Investigation No. 00-MSI-02.

 19
resulted from settlement agreements. The penalties appear reasonable relative to the conduct 

being sanctioned. 

B. Timeliness of Disciplinary Procedures

The Division found that the BCC reviewed investigation reports and disposed of matters 

promptly. Seven of the nine cases brought before the BCC were disposed of within two months. 

One complex EFP case, in which sanctions totaled $140,000 between two parties, was disposed 

of within six months. Only one case remained open with one of the two respondents involved 

for 13 months due to settlement negotiations. 

IV. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The Division found that the Exchange maintains an effective and comprehensive market 

surveillance program. The MSD routinely monitors, among other things, price relationships, 

volume, open interest, deliverable supply and market news, and maintains a large trader 

reporting system that contains a substantial database of position information. The MSD also 

maintains complete and comprehensive contract expiration files. In order to facilitate an orderly

liquidation, surveillance is heightened in each contract as expiration approaches, as well as when 

any potential problem arises. In addition, the MSD routinely communicates with market 

participants, both members and non-members, and these communications are well documented. 

The Exchange also has effective programs for monitoring speculative position limits and 

the bona fides of EFPs. However, one speculative limit investigation involving a non-member 

account that had violated speculative limit rules on several previous occasions and that was 

controlled by a member, should have been referred to the BCC for consideration of charges. 

Finally, nine market surveillance related cases were presented to the BCC for disciplinary

action. The BCC reviewed investigation reports and disposed of these matters promptly. In

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total, $192,250 in fines were assessed, with one EFP case resulting in fines of $140,000. All 

market surveillance-related sanctions during the target period were the result of settlement 

agreements. The penalties imposed appear reasonable relative to the conduct being sanctioned 

Based on the foregoing, the Division recommends that the Exchange: 

Ensure that members who control the trading of non-member accounts are 

accountable for speculative position limit violations. 

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