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Hedge funds and the Treasury cash-futures basis trade

Author

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  • Barth, Daniel
  • Kahn, R. Jay

Abstract

This paper studies hedge funds’ arbitrage positions in the Treasury cash-futures basis trade, which profits from the disconnect between cash and futures prices. At times, the trade has surpassed $1 trillion in gross exposures. Basis traders consistently account for more than 60% of all hedge fund Treasury positions and 70% of all hedge fund repo. We show how frictions can introduce a positive association between arbitrage quantities and spreads, and how these frictions may propagate stress in the Treasury market during periods of instability such as in March 2020.

Suggested Citation

  • Barth, Daniel & Kahn, R. Jay, 2025. "Hedge funds and the Treasury cash-futures basis trade," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:moneco:v:155:y:2025:i:c:s0304393225000947
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jmoneco.2025.103823
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Felix Hermes & Maik Schmeling & Andreas Schrimpf, 2025. "Unpacking repo haircuts and their implications for leverage," BIS Bulletins 117, Bank for International Settlements.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • E43 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Interest Rates: Determination, Term Structure, and Effects
    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • G13 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Contingent Pricing; Futures Pricing
    • G23 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Non-bank Financial Institutions; Financial Instruments; Institutional Investors

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