Oil traders face US civil action

The US energy regulator has taken civil action against a Dutch-based oil trading firm and three top employees for manipulating crude oil prices.

The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission complaint relates to Optiver Holding and two subsidiaries.

As the price of oil has risen sharply since last year, the watchdog has turned its focus on the activities of speculators.

It is feared that traders have contributed to swings in oil prices.

BBC