We show that, since the inception of energy futures markets, prices have on average exhibited backwardation. Normal backwardation has also been the norm, but, because of the low power of the standard tests, most researchers have concluded that the unbiased expectations model cannot be rejected....

The influence of price volatility in the crude oil market is expanding to non-energy commodity markets. With the substitution of fossil fuels by bio-fuel and hedge strategies against inflation induced by high oil prices, the link between crude oil market and agriculture markets and metal markets...