Wall Street Launches Defense Of Physical Commodities Role

NEW YORK: Wall Street launched its first concerted defense of its role in physical commodity markets on Thursday, funding a report that highlighted the risks of banks being pushed out of the sector by political and regulatory pressure, and gaining support from an influential trade group.

The report commissioned by Wall Street's largest lobby group, the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA), said banks play a small but vital role in the natural resources supply chain. Their ability to trade in the underlying commodities - not just financial derivatives - helped markets function.