CTA Training x LSEG | Building Portfolios in Commodities Trading
CTA is pleased to partner with LSEG for an exclusive, practical training session designed for CTA members and alumni working in, or seeking to deepen their understanding of, commodities trading.
Hosted at the LSEG office in Geneva on 2nd October, 2026, this full-day program will explore how commodity-market fundamentals translate into portfolio construction, risk-aware trade design, and real-world execution.
Led by experienced market practitioners, the session will combine market insight, applied case studies, and peer discussion to help participants strengthen their practical trading perspective.
Event Details
Date: 2nd October, 2026
Venue: LSEG Office, Geneva
Format: Full-day, in-person training
Access: CTA members and alumni only
Capacity: 50 seats
Registration: Waiting list first, selection required
Participation fee: CHF 95 for selected participants
Places are limited. Applications will be reviewed to ensure a relevant and valuable learning environment for all participants.
What You Will Explore
This practical training will cover key areas of commodities trading, including:
- Commodity value chains and market structure
- Portfolio construction and risk-aware trade design
- Crude oil, shipping, pricing, flows and freight constraints
- Petroleum products, petrochemicals, refining economics and demand drivers
- Trade structuring, arbitrage identification and operational execution
- Insurance, credit risk, claims and risk controls
- The impact of geopolitical disruption, sanctions, evolving trade flows and the energy transition
Preliminary Programme
09:30 – 10:45
Module 1: Oil & Gas Value Chain and Market Structure
10:45 – 11:00
Coffee Break
11:00 – 12:15
Module 2: Crude Oil & Shipping
Pricing, flows, freight and constraints
12:15 – 13:30
Lunch
13:30 – 14:45
Module 3: Petroleum Products & Petrochemicals
Refining economics, cracks, margins and demand drivers
14:45 – 15:00
Coffee Break
15:00 – 16:15
Module 4: Operations, Insurance and Risk Controls
Contracts, logistics, claims and operational risk
16:15 – 16:30
Coffee Break
16:30 – 18:00
Capstone: Portfolio Blueprint Workshop
Participants will work through a practical trade or portfolio case, testing operational, freight, financing, insurance and risk considerations before receiving peer and expert feedback.
18:00 – 18:30
Certificate Award Ceremony
The program is subject to final confirmation.
Speakers and Contributors
The session will be led by:
- Taghi Taghi-zada, Chief Trading Officer, SOCAR Trading
- Alessandro Gelli, Tanker Projects Broker, BRS
- Paul Descheemaeker, Head Marine & Trade Credit, AlliA Switzerland
Additional speakers or contributors may be announced at a later stage.
Waiting List
Capacity is limited to 50 seats.
CTA members and alumni are invited to save the date. A waiting list will be opened shortly. Selected participants will receive an invitation to confirm their place and purchase their ticket for CHF 95.
How to Apply
This training is reserved exclusively for CTA members and alumni, including MAS, DAS, and CAS graduates.
To request a place, please complete the registration form and include a brief motivation and background statement outlining:
- Your current role and commodity-market exposure
- Your learning objectives
- Why this training is relevant to you at this stage of your career
Applications are subject to approval. Approved participants will receive confirmation and further information regarding the participation fee.