This paper analyzes the volatility structure of the commodity derivatives markets. The model encompasses stochastic volatility that may be unspanned by the futures contracts. A generalized hump-shaped volatility specification is assumed that entails a finite-dimensional affine model for the...

To assess the economic determinants of oil futures volatility, we firstly develop and estimate a multi-factor oil futures pricing model with stochastic volatility that is able to disentangle long-term, medium-term and short-term variations in commodity markets volatility. The volatility...

This article explores nonlinearities in the response of speculators' trading activity to price changes in live cattle, corn, and lean hog futures markets. Analyzing weekly data from March 4, 1997 to December 27, 2005, we reject linearity in all of these markets. Using smooth transition...