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A dynamic analysis of the distribution of commodity futures and spot prices

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  • Jian Li
  • Jean‐Paul Chavas

Abstract

This paper investigates the role of futures markets and their dynamic effects on the stability of commodity prices. The analysis is based on combining two econometric approaches: a quantile vector autoregression (QVAR) model of the marginal distributions of futures and spot prices, and a copula of their joint distribution. Applied to the US soybean and corn markets over the period of 1980–2019, the econometric investigation finds evidence of nonlinear price dynamics that depend on the maturity of the futures contract and documents how marginal price distributions and associated moments evolve over time. Based on the estimates of the QVAR model, we provide evidence of local instability in the upper tail of the price distributions. We find that the futures market helps stabilize the market under nearby futures contract maturity. We document the presence of nonlinear cointegration relationships between futures and spot price. Relying on a copula, we find a positive contemporaneous codependence between futures price and spot price across all quantiles, codependence that varies with the futures contract maturity. We also present evidence of a time‐varying basis that affects the convergence properties of the futures and spot price. Our findings shed new light on the joint determination of futures and spot price in commodity markets.

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  • Jian Li & Jean‐Paul Chavas, 2023. "A dynamic analysis of the distribution of commodity futures and spot prices," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 105(1), pages 122-143, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:ajagec:v:105:y:2023:i:1:p:122-143
    DOI: 10.1111/ajae.12309
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    Cited by:

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    3. Ye Chen & Jian Li & Qiyuan Li, 2023. "Seemingly Unrelated Regression Estimation for VAR Models with Explosive Roots," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, Department of Economics, University of Oxford, vol. 85(4), pages 910-937, August.
    4. Dai, Yun-Shi & Dai, Peng-Fei & Zhou, Wei-Xing, 2023. "Tail dependence structure and extreme risk spillover effects between the international agricultural futures and spot markets," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    5. Yu, Aizhi & Cao, Jingsheng & She, Huiling & Li, Jian, 2023. "Unveiling the impact of E-commerce on smallholder livestock marketing: Insights on egg price premiums and mechanisms," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 1582-1596.
    6. Chavas, Jean-Paul & Li, Jian & Wang, Linjie, 2024. "Option Pricing Revisited: The Role of Price Volatility and Dynamics," 2024 Annual Meeting, July 28-30, New Orleans, LA 343544, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    7. Choe, Kyoungin & Goodwin, Barry K., 2024. "Convergence Bias in Lean Hog Futures: Are Hog Prices Reliable?," 2024 Annual Meeting, July 28-30, New Orleans, LA 343733, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.

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