Ethanol ignites Chicago competition

For the first time in recent memory, Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) and Chicago Board of Trade (CBoT) will launch competing contracts, in ethanol futures. CME will launch on 29 March, while CBoT was planning to list its contract on 8 April, although sources said CBoT is considering moving its start date forward.

CBoT executives said the exchange has been developing the corn-based ethanol futures contract for the past two years and waiting for the right market...