The (de)merits of minimum-variance hedging: Application to the crack spread

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  • University of Sussex
  • Zeppelin Universität - Hochschule zwischen Wirtschaft, Kultur und Politik Friedrichshafen
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OriginalspracheEnglisch
Seiten (von - bis)698-707
Seitenumfang10
FachzeitschriftEnergy Economics
Jahrgang36
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 1 März 2013
Extern publiziertJa

Abstract

We study the empirical performance of the classical minimum-variance hedging strategy, comparing several econometric models for estimating hedge ratios of crude oil, gasoline and heating oil crack spreads. Given the great variability and large jumps in both spot and futures prices, considerable care is required when processing the relevant data and accounting for the costs of maintaining and re-balancing the hedge position. We find that the variance reduction produced by all models is statistically and economically indistinguishable from the one-for-one "naïve" hedge. However, minimum-variance hedging models, especially those based on GARCH, generate much greater margin and transaction costs than the naïve hedge. Therefore we encourage hedgers to use a naïve hedging strategy on the crack spread bundles now offered by the exchange; this strategy is the cheapest and easiest to implement. Our conclusion contradicts the majority of the existing literature, which favours the implementation of GARCH-based hedging strategies.

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The (de)merits of minimum-variance hedging: Application to the crack spread. / Alexander, Carol; Prokopczuk, Marcel; Sumawong, Anannit.
in: Energy Economics, Jahrgang 36, 01.03.2013, S. 698-707.

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftArtikelForschungPeer-Review

Alexander C, Prokopczuk M, Sumawong A. The (de)merits of minimum-variance hedging: Application to the crack spread. Energy Economics. 2013 Mär 1;36:698-707. doi: 10.1016/j.eneco.2012.11.016
Alexander, Carol ; Prokopczuk, Marcel ; Sumawong, Anannit. / The (de)merits of minimum-variance hedging : Application to the crack spread. in: Energy Economics. 2013 ; Jahrgang 36. S. 698-707.
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