However, there is considerable evidence that strongly indicates rampant speculation in today’s oil markets. One key sign is the documented change in the character of oil trading, with speculators (i.e., financial institutions and hedge funds) now accounting for 70% of trades, up from 37% seven years ago.
证明投机应该对高油价负责总是很困难，因为它的发生和强劲的经济基本面背景相左。但是，有大量的证据强烈显示在当今的石油市场上存在着猖獗的投机。一个重要的迹象是有文件证明的石油交易性质的变化，投机者（例如，金融机构和对冲基金）现在占交易的70%，而七年前只有37％。