ISSN:
1432-0479
Keywords:
Keywords and Phrases: Information revelation, Sunspots, Security design, Futures contracts, Trading volume.
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JEL Classification Numbers: D82, G14.
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Economics
Notes:
Summary. A speculative security is an asset whose payoff depends in part on a random shock uncorrelated with economic fundamentals (a sunspot) about which some traders have superior information. In this paper we show that agents may find it desirable to trade such a security in spite of the fact that it is a poorer hedge against their endowment risks at the time of trade, and has an associated adverse selection cost. In the specific institutional setting of innovation of futures contracts, we show that a futures exchange may not have an incentive to introduce a speculative security even when all traders favor it.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s001990050346
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