Files
Abstract
While considerable research has estimated liquidity costs of futures trading, little comparable
research is available about options markets. This study determines effective bid-ask spreads in
options and futures markets for Kansas City Board of Trade (KCBT) wheat. Effective bid-ask
spreads are estimates of the actual liquidity cost of a round-trip order. Option liquidity costs
are estimated using a new measure of effective spreads developed for options markets. Futures
effective spreads are estimated using eight different measures developed in previous studies.
Estimated effective bid-ask spreads of options contracts are at least double the effective bid-ask
spreads of open-outcry futures contracts.