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Characteristics, causes, and price effects: Empirical evidence of intraday Edgeworth cycles

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  • Siekmann, Manuel

Abstract

Edgeworth cycles represent the leading concept to explain observed pricing patterns on retail gasoline markets and have been subject to numerous empirical investigations on an interday level. In this paper, I present unique evidence of the presence, causes, and price effects of intraday Edgeworth-type cycles for an entire OECD country, using high-frequency price data from German gasoline stations. I find vast evidence of intraday cycles across municipalities in Germany. Cycle asymmetry and intensity is stronger in more concentrated markets and decreases with a higher share of non-major brands. My analysis suggests that intraday cycles are a sign of competition with a price decreasing effect during evening hours, where consumers conscious of their purchase timing can benefit most.

Suggested Citation

  • Siekmann, Manuel, 2017. "Characteristics, causes, and price effects: Empirical evidence of intraday Edgeworth cycles," DICE Discussion Papers 252, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf Institute for Competition Economics (DICE).
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:dicedp:252
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    3. Hurtado, Carlos & González, Julia, 2024. "Price differences within retail gasoline markets," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    4. Thomas Wein, 2021. "Why Abandon the Paradise? Stations’ Incentives to Reduce Gasoline Prices at First," Journal of Industry, Competition and Trade, Springer, vol. 21(4), pages 465-504, December.
    5. Anna Goeddeke & Justus Haucap & Annika Herr & Christian Wey, 2018. "Flexibility in Wage Setting Under the Threat of Relocation," LABOUR, CEIS, vol. 32(1), pages 1-22, March.
    6. Korff, Alex, 2021. "Competition on the fast lane: The price structure of homogeneous retail gasoline stations," DICE Discussion Papers 359, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf Institute for Competition Economics (DICE).
    7. Thomas Wein, 2020. "Why abandoning the paradise? Stations incentives to reduce gasoline prices at first," Working Paper Series in Economics 394, University of Lüneburg, Institute of Economics.
    8. Michael D. Noel, 2019. "Calendar synchronization of gasoline price increases," Journal of Economics & Management Strategy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(2), pages 355-370, April.
    9. Fischer, Kai, 2022. "Alcohol prohibition and pricing at the pump," DICE Discussion Papers 386, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf Institute for Competition Economics (DICE).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Gasoline Markets; Fuel Prices; Edgeworth Cycles; Intraday Pricing;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L11 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Production, Pricing, and Market Structure; Size Distribution of Firms
    • L71 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Primary Products and Construction - - - Mining, Extraction, and Refining: Hydrocarbon Fuels

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