Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2005. / Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains xi, 114 p.; also includes graphics (some col.) Includes bibliographical references (p. 108-114). Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2005. / Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains ix, 121 p.; also includes graphics (some col.) Includes bibliographical references (p. 114-121). Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center

Thesis (M.S.)--Worcester Polytechnic Institute. / Keywords: alternative investment; time frame; commodity trading advisor Includes bibliographical references. (p.34-36)

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1980. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (p. 261-265).

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The object of government is the welfare of the people – Theodore Roosevelt Commodity prices in the South African economy has become a topic of much debate with suppliers, consumers and government involved in a struggle to address issues of monopolies, market dominance and claims of excessive pricing. This document aims to explore to what extent commodity prices affect the gold mining industry, the theory and practicality of monopolistic supplier pricing models, the responses to such behaviour and the role that the competition authorities play in facilitating a free market. By obtaining industry information, studies of market theory and the review of competition legislation, an understanding of the issues was obtained. After discussion with industry role players (suppliers, mining companies and independent third parties) both qualitative and quantitative data was obtained to answer questions around competition and market dominance. <p.The findings of the study include: •Gold mining companies have considerable exposure to Import Parity Pricing for commodities such as steel and chemicals. •Monopoly suppliers exercise considerable market power over these products. •Consumers believe that they are being treated unfairly by suppliers and this raises high levels of emotion. •The competition authorities appear to be unable to manage these issues effectively. •Government sees this as a problem and is intent on addressing these issues. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

This thesis examines the cross-sectional and time series variation between commodities futures prices and current prices. The 'Theory of Storage' states that the difference between the two prices will be a function of two factors: The first is the cost of storing the commodity over the term of the futures contract (carrying costs). The second factor is the value of the convenience yield. The convenience yield is a concept which evolved from the theory of storage and is explained as the benefit which accrues to the individual or firm that holds the commodity in storage but does not accrue to the holder of the futures contract. It is generally assumed that the value of a commodity's convenience yield is decreasing in the aggregate inventory available and some indirect empirical support has been generated for this assumption, however, an economic model has not been provided which derives the result. There are two objectives of this thesis: The first is to provide a model of the convenience yield which explains the relationship between the level of inventories and the value of the convenience yield. The second objective is to empirically test the predictions of the model. The model provided shows the convenience yield to be decreasing in the level of aggregate inventory. In addition, the value of the convenience is found to be related to the time-series process of shocks to demand. An analogy is drawn between the convenience yield and an option with a stochastic exercise price. Using futures price data and aggregate inventory data, the empirical implications of the model are tested. The results support the hypothesis that a commodity's convenience yield is decreasing in aggregate inventory. Some evidence is also provided that the convenience yield is decreasing in the correlation between shocks to demand. / Business, Sauder School of / Finance, Division of / Graduate

It is a broad function of this thesis to provide the commodity world with a new and valuable informational tool. This thesis shows quarterly prices for a ten year period 1940 through 1949, on fifty major commodities, giving in each case the actual cash price and the cash price adjusted to the purchasing power of the 1926 dollar. This adjusted price is a statistically derived relative price and for the purposes of this study is called a constant dollar value.

Commodity prices have recently seen record grain prices with most growers generally improving their profitability. In 2007 the USA crop protection value experienced its biggest annual increase since 1984 with a US$30.5 billion increase compared to 2006. South African growers increased their gross margin even with lower historical yields, from US$480 per hectare in 2004, to an estimated US$1,133 per hectare in 2008. With the current global grain stock-touse ratios maintaining their lowest levels in 35 years, higher and more price volatility is expected to continue. Whilst growers have benefitted from these more favourable crop prices, agrochemical suppliers have battled to increase their chemical prices. In South Africa, other suppliers (seeds and fertiliser), managed to increase prices at least twofold the percentage agro-chemicals achieved from 2003 to 2008. The purpose of this research was therefore to try and understand how commodity prices influence corn growers’ pesticide demand, as well as to better understand their pesticide buying behaviour under fluctuating crop prices. A structured web-based questionnaire to collect primary data from corn growers within South Africa and Hungary was used. Besides the impact of commodity prices to business buying behaviour, the research also focused on the price elasticity of agro-chemicals, futures trading as a risk reduction mechanism and the value of agro-chemical sales representatives. From the findings the survey managed to highlight that even though commodity prices do impact agro-chemicals, it was not the biggest influencer towards agrochemical buying behaviour. The survey further indicated that similar to many other industrial goods, agro-chemicals represented fairly inelastic prices, most growers use hedging to reduce price uncertainty and the majority value the relationship with their agro-chemical representatives. The data also highlighted additional similarities that exist within the business buying behaviour of Hungarian and South African growers. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

The expiration of the 2002 Farm Bill has presented an opportunity to renovate current farm policy into a program that better meets the demands faced by producers and other interested parties. During the farm bill debates on what to do with subsidy payments, the idea of structuring new programs that better fit a farmer?s needs is gaining momentum. These programs are often revenue based, adding to a more efficient program by combining yield and price risk. The intention of this thesis was to offer an overview of the potential effects of changes in farm programs on both the level and variability of farm revenue. The first step in accomplishing this objective was to create a model that accurately simulates farms from every producing county for which data were available. The proposals modeled include the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), the USDA proposal, and a revenue subsidy wrapped-around an insurance program.