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In short, whether we have Backwardation or Contango depends on how the expected future spot prices are quantified and how the related commodity strips behave. Contango and Backwardation in Common Usage Investment professionals on financial TV channels and in newspapers colloquially refer to upward trends in futures prices as contango and downward trends in futures prices as backwardation. Contango and Backwardation in Economic TheoryIn economic theory regarding Backwardation and Contango, associated with John Maynard Keyns and John Hicks, for Contango to exist, expected spot prices (someday in the future) have to be lower than current futures prices for the same future moments, and reverse has to apply for Backwardation. Thus whether we have a contango or bacwardation depends on an arbitrary forward estimate of spot prices. For example, if we estimate that today's spot price, price at which a physical commodity is trading today, is an expected spot price someday in the future, and we see an upward trend in a commodity strip (series of future contracts prices), we see a contango. On the other hand, if the futures prices in a commodity strip trending upwards are considered unbiased estimates of the expected future spot prices, meaning they are equal, there is no Contango or Backwardation to speak of. By the way, upward trend of estimates may be a result of storage expenses.
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What is a contango position?
A commodity market is in contango if the spot price is lower than the futures price. A contango position is the futures position you hold with a price higher than spot price.
What is backwardation in commodity markets?
In short, whether we have Backwardation or Contango depends on how the expected future spot prices are quantified and how the related commodity strips behave. Contango and Backwardation in Common Usage Investment professionals on financial TV channels and in newspapers colloquially refer to upward trends in futures prices as contango and downward trends in futures prices as backwardation. Contango and Backwardation in Economic TheoryIn economic theory regarding Backwardation and Contango, associated with John Maynard Keyns and John Hicks, for Contango to exist, expected spot prices (someday in the future) have to be lower than current futures prices for the same future moments, and reverse has to apply for Backwardation. Thus whether we have a contango or bacwardation depends on an arbitrary forward estimate of spot prices. For example, if we estimate that today's spot price, price at which a physical commodity is trading today, is an expected spot price someday in the future, and we see an upward trend in a commodity strip (series of future contracts prices), we see a contango. On the other hand, if the futures prices in a commodity strip trending upwards are considered unbiased estimates of the expected future spot prices, meaning they are equal, there is no Contango or Backwardation to speak of. By the way, upward trend of estimates may be a result of storage expenses.
When do backwardation and contango trends occur in commodity markets?
Backwardation trends are often occurring under expectations for oversupplied markets where buyers dictate conditions. Backwardation trends are common for non-perishable commodities perceived as abundant, inexpensive, and expensive to store. Crude Oil and Natural Gas were in the past frequently viewed as such. Contango trends are often occurring under expectations for undersupplied markets where sellers dictate conditions. Contango trends are common for scarce, expensive (forgone alternative interest is a huge factor), non-perishable and expensive to store commodities like Gold.
Is the meaning of backwardation and contango used in finance textbooks the same as the colloquial meaning used by Wall Street?
In short, whether we have Backwardation or Contango depends on how the expected forward spot prices are quantified and how the related commodity strips behave. Contango and Backwardation in Common Usage Investment professionals on financial TV channels and in newspapers colloquially refer to upward trends in futures prices as contango and downwards trends in futures prices as backwardation. Contango and Backwardation in Economic TheoryIn economic theory regarding Backwardation and Contango, associated with John Maynard Keyns and John Hicks, for Contango to exist, expected spot prices (someday in the future) have to be lower than current futures prices for the same future moments, and reverse has to apply for Backwardation. Thus whether we have a contango or bacwardation depends on an arbitrary forward estimate of spot prices. For example, if we estimate that today's spot price, price at which a physical commodity is trading today, is an expected spot price someday in the future, and we see an upward trend in a commodity strip (series of future contracts prices), we see a contango. On the other hand, if the futures prices in a commodity strip trending upwards are considered unbiased estimates of the expected future spot prices, meaning they are equal, there is no Contango or Backwardation to speak of. By the way, upward trend of estimates may be a result of storage expenses.
Which statement applies to modern commodity markets?
they are global
Commodity markets are the closest examples of?
there are 2 different definitions of commodity markets; the securities one and the one where we all buy and sell things. A commodity is something we sell but in the securities world, it means minerals, orange juice, etc.
Where is it possible to learn about the commodity market?
Commodity markets are markets where raw or primary products are exchanged. These raw commodities are traded on regulated commodities exchanges, in which they are bought and sold in standardized contracts.
What is pork commodity?
Just Pork., Dead carcas of Pig ! Traded in commodity markets. a.k.a Bacon, Lard etc
How do you use markets in a sentence?
Marketable commodity, even for the bourgeois houses
Where can you find cardboard commodity prices?
OBM, Official Board Markets.
What is the symbol for Contango Oil and Gas Company in the AMEX?
The symbol for Contango Oil & Gas Company in the AMEX is: MCF.
What are the main purposes of commodity markets?
The main purpose of a commodity market is to provide a platform for the buying and selling of goods. These transactions can be both physical and virtual
