We utilize detailed, trader level data to examine the role of speculators during the failure of Amaranth Advisors, Inc. We find that speculators serve as a stabilizing force during this period, maintaining or increasing long positions even while prices are falling. We develop two testable...

This paper reviews the more recent literature addressing different facets of speculation in commodity markets, including the role of speculators and the impact that financialization in recent years. While speculation and financialization can theoretically destabilize commodity markets, the...