Should the Defense Fuel Supply Center Trade in the Futures Market

摘要

The Defense Fuel Supply Center is the primary buying agent for most of thepetroleum used by the Department of Defense and other Government agencies. Purchasing nearly 200 million barrels of oil per year, the Fuel Center's costs have varied dramatically depending upon the market price of oil. One creative idea for stabilizing costs and reducing price risk exposure is to hedge purchases in the cash market with the use of futures contracts. This thesis examines and assesses the ramifications of futures trading in light of current procurement practices, market conditions, and trends, in an effort to answer the question of whether this proposed strategy is viable or wise.