Limits to arbitrage and hedging: Evidence from commodity markets

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Financial Economics
Year: 2013
Volume: 109
Issue: 2
Pages: 441-465

Score contribution per author:

1.341 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We build an equilibrium model of commodity markets in which speculators are capital constrained, and commodity producers have hedging demands for commodity futures. Increases in producers' hedging demand or speculators' capital constraints increase hedging costs via price-pressure on futures. These in turn affect producers' equilibrium hedging and supply decision inducing a link between a financial friction in the futures market and the commodity spot prices. Consistent with the model, measures of producers' propensity to hedge forecasts futures returns and spot prices in oil and gas market data from 1979 to 2010. The component of the commodity futures risk premium associated with producer hedging demand rises when speculative activity reduces. We conclude that limits to financial arbitrage generate limits to hedging by producers, and affect equilibrium commodity supply and prices.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:jfinec:v:109:y:2013:i:2:p:441-465
Journal Field
Finance
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-24