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Margin requirements and futures activity: Evidence from the soybean and corn markets

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  • Bahram Adrangi
  • Arjun Chatrath

Abstract

This article investigates the impact of margin requirements on the trading activity and volatility in futures markets. We extend Hartzmark's (1986) model for futures demand to allow for the costs imposed by margins to change across the maturity of the contract. The model is tested employing data from the soybean and corn markets. We find that trading activity becomes more sensitive to margin changes as one gets closer to contract maturity, inconsistent with the notion that margins impose important opportunity costs on futures traders. Margins are found to have a negative impact on the trading activities of all types of traders, though there is some evidence that margin alterations bring about changes in the makeup of the market. The data also indicate that margins are likely to be hiked during periods of increased volatility, and reduced during periods of relative stability, thus suggesting that margin alterations serve primarily as insurance to futures exchanges. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 19: 433–455, 1999

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  • Bahram Adrangi & Arjun Chatrath, 1999. "Margin requirements and futures activity: Evidence from the soybean and corn markets," Journal of Futures Markets, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 19(4), pages 433-455, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jfutmk:v:19:y:1999:i:4:p:433-455
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    Cited by:

    1. Duc Huynh, Toan Luu & Burggraf, Tobias & Nasir, Muhammad Ali, 2020. "Financialisation of natural resources & instability caused by risk transfer in commodity markets," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    2. Daskalaki, Charoula & Skiadopoulos, George, 2016. "The effects of margin changes on commodity futures markets," Journal of Financial Stability, Elsevier, vol. 22(C), pages 129-152.
    3. Apperson, George P., 2017. "Agricultural Commodity Futures Price Volatility: A Market Regulatory Policy Study," 2017 Annual Meeting, July 30-August 1, Chicago, Illinois 258210, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.

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