The wild price movements mentioned above are part of a common dynamic in commodity markets, particularly crude oil and its derivatives.

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The company's reputation also has been damaged by numerous investigations into its role in the crisis, particularly its dealings in the mortgage and derivatives markets, and its sometimes-ham-handed handling of those issues.

WSJ: Goldman Cuts Blankfein's Bonus

According to Jon Jonsson, European credit-derivatives strategist at Merrill Lynch, they were particularly caught by differences between European and American corporate law.

ECONOMIST: Credit derivatives

None of this is particularly novel: in recent years Frankfurt's stockmarket, derivatives exchange and clearing house have all been brought under one roof, and Singapore and Australia are planning the same.

ECONOMIST: Exchanges