Energy, Vol.36, No.2, 881-887, 2011
A dynamic hedging approach for refineries in multiproduct oil markets
A multiproduct portfolio hedge ratio strategy for oil futures is investigated using a multivariate GARCH model based on dynamic conditional correlation and an error correction model (DCC-ECM-MVGARCH). By considering the characteristics of refiner profits from crack spread and the mutual relations among crude oil, gasoline and heating oil spot and future prices, we estimate the time-varying optimal hedge ratios for the oil-cracking margin. In addition, a naive strategy, a traditional OLS model and dynamic B-GARCH model are selected to compare with our model for hedge effectiveness. Comparison of hedge effectiveness for in-sample and out-of-sample data reveals that the dynamic DCC-ECM-MVGARCH model is more sensitive to market fluctuations, provides a more accurate description of changes in volatility and has more advantages than other models. Therefore, the empirical results prove that application of the DCC-ECM-MVGARCH model for hedging of oil market portfolio can play an important role in avoiding the double risk of crude oil and oil product markets for refineries. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.