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Speculation and volatility—A time‐varying approach applied on Chinese commodity futures markets

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  • Claudia Wellenreuther
  • Jan Voelzke

Abstract

Experts have long discussed and empirically investigated whether speculative activity increases volatility on commodity futures markets. Little empirical research, however, analyzes the role of speculators on commodity futures markets in China. Using time‐varying vector autoregression models with stochastic volatility, this paper investigates for four heavily traded metal and agricultural contracts, how the relationship between returns volatility and speculation evolves over time. Our findings indicate that speculative activity has little to no impact on volatility. On the contrary, for all commodities examined, returns volatility seems to amplify speculation.

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  • Claudia Wellenreuther & Jan Voelzke, 2019. "Speculation and volatility—A time‐varying approach applied on Chinese commodity futures markets," Journal of Futures Markets, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 39(4), pages 405-417, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jfutmk:v:39:y:2019:i:4:p:405-417
    DOI: 10.1002/fut.21984
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    3. Algirdas Justinas Staugaitis & Bernardas Vaznonis, 2022. "Financial Speculation Impact on Agricultural and Other Commodity Return Volatility: Implications for Sustainable Development and Food Security," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-27, November.
    4. Ye, Wuyi & Guo, Ranran & Deschamps, Bruno & Jiang, Ying & Liu, Xiaoquan, 2021. "Macroeconomic forecasts and commodity futures volatility," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 981-994.
    5. Klein, Tony & Todorova, Neda, 2019. "Night Trading with Futures in China: The Case of Aluminum and Copper," QBS Working Paper Series 2019/06, Queen's University Belfast, Queen's Business School.
    6. Jian Yang & Yinggang Zhou, 2020. "Return and volatility transmission between China's and international crude oil futures markets: A first look," Journal of Futures Markets, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 40(6), pages 860-884, June.
    7. Klein, Tony & Todorova, Neda, 2021. "Night trading with futures in China: The case of Aluminum and Copper," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C).
    8. Fang, Ming & Lin, Yizhou & Chang, Chiu-Lan, 2023. "Positive and negative price bubbles of Chinese agricultural commodity futures," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 456-471.
    9. Zhu, Huiming & Meng, Liang & Ge, Yajing & Hau, Liya, 2020. "Dependent relationships between Chinese commodity markets and the international financial market: Evidence from quantile time-frequency analysis," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 54(C).
    10. Bianchi, Robert J. & Fan, John Hua & Zhang, Tingxi, 2021. "Investable commodity premia in China," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    11. Algirdas Justinas Staugaitis & Bernardas Vaznonis, 2022. "Short-Term Speculation Effects on Agricultural Commodity Returns and Volatility in the European Market Prior to and during the Pandemic," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-26, April.
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    13. Fan, John Hua & Fernandez-Perez, Adrian & Indriawan, Ivan & Todorova, Neda, 2020. "Internationalization of futures markets: Lessons from China," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 63(C).

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