Goldman Sachs Likes a Speculative Diet In Its Portfolio

Goldman Sachs is speculating in food commodities again.  Here's a brief history of how Goldman obtained "exemption from speculative limits on crop futures" and how deregulation gave speculators access to commodity speculation that drives up food prices.

Goldman Sachs made up to £250 million from betting on food prices in 2012
By Economic Voice Staff

Goldman Sachs made up to an estimated £251 million (US$400 million) in 2012 from speculating on food including wheat, maize and soy, prompting campaigners to accuse the bank of contributing to a growing global food crisis.

Goldman Sachs is recognised as the leading global player in financial speculation on food and other commodities, and created the first commodity index funds which allow huge amounts of money to be gambled on prices.

Anti-poverty campaign group the World Development Movement released the estimate today following the publication of Goldman Sachs’ 2012 results. The group is calling for tough rules to curb financial speculation on food, to prevent banks and hedge funds driving up prices.

 The US has passed legislation to limit speculation, but the controls have not been implemented due to a legal challenge from Wall Street spearheaded by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, of which Goldman Sachs is a leading member. Similar legislation is on the table at the EU, but the UK government has so far opposed effective controls. Goldman Sachs has lobbied against controls in both the US and the EU.

Please read the whole article here 
Max Keiser has a video on the topic here