We propose a fear index for corn using the variance swap rate synthesized from out-of-the-money call and put options as a measure of implied variance. We find negative and time-varying variance risk premiums (realized variance minus implied variance) in the corn market from 1987 to 2009. Our...

We propose a new model of volatility by allowing for a cascading structure of volatility components. The cascading feature is achieved by introducing an increasing structure to the speed of mean reversion. It allows us to add as many components as desired with no additional parameter,...