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Stationarity in the Prices of Energy Commodities. A Nonparametric Approach

Author

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  • Manuel Landajo

    (Department of Applied Economics, University of Oviedo, Avenida del Cristo, 33011 Oviedo, Spain)

  • María José Presno

    (Department of Applied Economics, University of Oviedo, Avenida del Cristo, 33011 Oviedo, Spain)

  • Paula Fernández González

    (Department of Applied Economics, University of Oviedo, Avenida del Cristo, 33011 Oviedo, Spain)

Abstract

In this paper, we address the classical problem of testing for stationarity in the prices of energy-related commodities. A panel of fourteen time series of monthly prices is analyzed for the 1980–2020 period. Nine of the series are classical nonrenewable, GHG-emissions-intensive resources (coal, crude oil, natural gas), whereas the remaining, low-emission group includes both uranium and four commodities employed in biofuels (rapeseed, palm, and soybean oils, and ethanol). A nonparametric, bootstrap-based stationarity testing framework is employed. The main advantage of this procedure is its asymptotically model-free nature, being less sensitive than parametric tests to the risks of misspecification and detection of spurious unit roots, although it has the potential limitation of typically requiring larger samples than mainstream tools. Results suggest that most of the series analyzed may be trend stationary. The only exception would be crude oil, where different conclusions are obtained depending on whether a seasonal correction is applied or not.

Suggested Citation

  • Manuel Landajo & María José Presno & Paula Fernández González, 2021. "Stationarity in the Prices of Energy Commodities. A Nonparametric Approach," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-16, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:11:p:3324-:d:569564
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