Spillovers, integration and causality in LME non-ferrous metal markets

Abstract

We examine the interrelationships in the global base metal markets over a 22 year period 1994–2016 using a variety of econometric methods. The results demonstrate the high intensity of both return and volatility spillovers across the selected markets. Furthermore, the degree of co-movements varies among time and frequencies. The study also contributes to the contagion literature since the results revealed the increase in co-movements after the financial crisis. Aluminium is found to be the driving force, with significant influence across all methodologies. The findings show that the behaviour of the non-ferrous metals is similar to other conventional asset classes, like equities and bonds, justifying the position that metals have become an investment class.