Volatility Impact of Stock Index Futures Trading - A Revised Analysis

Wagner, Helmut and Matanovic, Eva (2012): Volatility Impact of Stock Index Futures Trading - A Revised Analysis. Published in: Journal of Applied Finance & Banking , Vol. 2, No. 5 (2012): pp. 113-126.

Abstract

The recent financial crisis renewed concerns about a possible destabilizing impact of derivatives trading. Despite a very active research, the question whether or not derivatives tend to destabilize financial markets has not yet been answered to satisfaction. This contribution aims to revise the robustness of recent empirical findings and to remedy some methodological shortcomings of earlier studies. Acknowledging their practical relevance, we focus on futures and examine the volatility impact of DAX futures trading. Our results confirm a volatility-reducing impact of DAX futures trading, whereas the observed deterioration of the fundamental price building process proved to be statistically insignificant.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Financial market stability, financial market volatility, GARCH, stock index futures, derivatives
• Subjects: G - Financial Economics > G1 - General Financial Markets > G10 - General; G - Financial Economics > G1 - General Financial Markets > G13 - Contingent Pricing ; Futures Pricing; G - Financial Economics > G1 - General Financial Markets > G14 - Information and Market Efficiency ; Event Studies ; Insider Trading; G - Financial Economics > G1 - General Financial Markets > G15 - International Financial Markets; G - Financial Economics > G1 - General Financial Markets > G19 - Other

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