Issue
Volume 18, Issue 2, December 1993
The objectives of this study were to: (a) quantify differences in liquidity costs between Kansas City and Chicago wheat futures contracts, and (b) identify the factors which influence liquidity in these two markets. Regression results suggest that there are significant differences in liquidity costs between Chicago and Kansas City which are in part due to the lower trading volume at Kansas City. However, there appears to be a significantly higher cost of doing business at Kansas City which is independent of trading volume. The implications of these findings to traders is that transacting is more expensive in Kansas City than in Chicago.
In the spirit of Leamer’s commitment to sensitivity analysis, we employ Farrell’s nonparametric efficiency methodology and compare our results with those of Sexton, Wilson, and Wann. Testing the implicit assumption of technical efficiency in the methodology employed by Sexton, Wilson, and Wann, we find that the lack of technical efficiency is the cotton gins’ main cause of overall inefficiency. We extend the nonparametric methodology by subjecting the shadow prices of technical efficiency to nonparametric statistical tests to draw stronger conclusions. In addition, the nonparametric methodology permits us to make gin-specific recommendations to improve the performance of the gins.
This article presents a mathematical programming model of wheat cleaning and blending decisions at a country elevator. Simulations are performed to illustrate the sensitivity of cleaning to selected variables, including the value of screenings, transportation costs, and market discounts for excess dockage. In addition, the model is used to assess the impact of including dockage in the grade standards for wheat.
The ultimate loss financial institutions bear for foreclosed loans is determined by their success in liquidating their acquired property portfolios. This study examines the price received for land sold by private individuals and financial institutions from 1977 through 1990. After adjusting for quality differences, financial institutions received on average 9.2% less than private individuals. Further analysis reveals that commercial banks received a discount of 5.8%, the Farm Credit System (FCS) a 9.2% discount, and Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) a 14.7% discount. For this sample of 13,375 Kansas sales, it is estimated that the sum of the transfers from financial institutions to land buyers amounted to $9.2 million.
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