We analyze the daily positions of 31 foreign Central Banks in U.S. interest rate futures markets between 2003 and 2011 for targeted hedging or informed profit-making decisions. Central Bank positions before the financial crisis of 2007-2009 are consistent with hedging some underlying balance...

We analyze the daily positions of 31 foreign Central Banks in U.S. interest rate futures markets between 2003 and 2011 to investigate whether such positions reveal targeted hedging or informed profit-making decisions. Central Bank positions before the financial crisis of 2007-2009 are consistent...

In a well-functioning futures market, the futures price at expiration equals the price of the underlying asset. This condition failed to hold in grain markets for most of 2005-10. During this period, futures contracts expired up to 35% above the cash grain price. We develop a rational...