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Slopes, spreads, and depth: Monetary policy announcements and liquidity provision in the energy futures market

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  • Smales, L.A.

Abstract

Crude oil futures play an important role in the global energy and financial markets, yet the dynamics of liquidity in this crucial market have largely been ignored. Understanding how macroeconomic events shape liquidity in this market is important for both hedgers and speculators. Using high-frequency data, we consider three elements of market liquidity to achieve a detailed picture of liquidity provision in the period around monetary policy announcements; the bid-ask spread, market depth, and order book slope. We show that liquidity is removed from the market around 2-mins prior to the announcement, is exceptionally low at the time of the announcement, and then reverts to normal within 9-mins of the announcement. The magnitude of the liquidity response is influenced by the size of the monetary policy surprise, consistent with traders that seek to protect themselves when the risk of adverse selection is greatest. The liquidity response is also determined by the term structure of the futures curve and prevailing credit conditions.

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  • Smales, L.A., 2019. "Slopes, spreads, and depth: Monetary policy announcements and liquidity provision in the energy futures market," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 234-252.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:reveco:v:59:y:2019:i:c:p:234-252
    DOI: 10.1016/j.iref.2018.09.001
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    Cited by:

    1. Yang, Yang & Zhang, Jiqiang & Chen, Sanpan, 2023. "Information effects of monetary policy announcements on oil price," Journal of Commodity Markets, Elsevier, vol. 30(C).
    2. Alexandre Aidov & Olesya Lobanova, 2021. "Volatility and Depth in Commodity and FX Futures Markets," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-16, November.
    3. Lee, Jieun & Ryu, Doojin, 2019. "How does FX liquidity affect the relationship between foreign ownership and stock liquidity?," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 101-119.
    4. Soriano, Pilar & Torró, Hipòlit, 2022. "The response of Brent crude oil to the European central bank monetary policy," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 46(PA).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Energy markets; Crude oil futures; WTI; Monetary policy decisions; Liquidity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G1 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets
    • G10 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - General (includes Measurement and Data)
    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • Q02 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General - - - Commodity Market
    • Q43 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Energy and the Macroeconomy

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