Explaining repo specialness

Dufour, A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0519-648X, Marra, M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0810-7323, Sangiorgi, I. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8344-9983 and Skinner, F. S. (2020) Explaining repo specialness. International Journal of Finance and Economics, 25 (2). pp. 172-196. ISSN 1076-9307 doi: 10.1002/ijfe.1746

Abstract/Summary

We study the dynamics of specialness for 1-day repo contracts on Italian government bonds over a 10-year sample period. As predicted by Duffie’s (1996) model, our results show that collateral supply is a significant factor for specialness. However, we enrich that finding by also showing a clear impact from repo liquidity, collateral riskiness, information uncertainty and short-selling proxies, revealing the importance of speculative bond demand for specialness. During crisis periods, bond fire sales and European Central Bank interventions also have a large impact on repo specialness. We identify recurrent patterns for specialness around bond auctions. Specialness increases steadily from the auction announcement date until a few days before the auction settlement date, which is consistent with overbidding behavior and a short selling of treasuries (via reverse repos) from primary dealers ahead of auctions.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-pure-test.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/84015
Identification Number/DOI	10.1002/ijfe.1746
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Henley Business School > Finance and Accounting Central Services
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