mistaken impression for the better part of my adult life that the whole point of going long, going short, and/or implementing various trading strategies using derivative securities such as options and futures contracts is that innovations such as these facilitate price discovery and help ensure that markets allocate resources to their most highly valued uses. I think that the energy markets are telling these executives that their business models are broken and that they better start thinking of ways to restructure themselves so that they and their firms can live another day, week, month, year, decade or whatever. The worst thing we can do as a society is to continue to shield the airline industry from the consequences of continuing to pursue unsustainable business models. I also find it very curious that the CEO for Southwest Airlines is one of the signatories on this “open letter”, since Southwest Airlines has been making money hand over fist from hedging their energy exposures in the futures markets (according to a July 1, 2008 Associated Press story entitled “Airlines try to hedge against soaring fuel costs”, hedging (e.g., by purchasing futures contracts) has saved Southwest $3.5 billion since 1999). I guess when an airline takes positions in energy-related derivative securities, that’s okay; it’s just wrong for you or me or some other so-called “oil speculator” to do the same.]]>
I can’t say too much, because I agree with the main point of the argument–it is not the speculators. However, in defense of Southwest’s CEO, he needed to participate in the “Abilene Paradox” and side with the other captains of his industry as a good long-run move.
I appreciate the email. I have been very curious about the whole price or oil problem. I particularly enjoy the standard response from Congress that taking steps to increase production aren’t worth it because the American people won’t see a result for 5 to 10 years. It is thinking like this 5 to 10 years ago that has led to our current situation. It seems like a no-brainer to increase production during this difficult time, especially when it is clear the problem isn’t going away.
Another interesting thought on the price of oil that I haven’t spent too much time on (I’ve been in the process of moving to Dallas) is the effect of foreign exchange depreciation of the dollar. America’s use of foreign oil has increase over the past decades from 30% to 70%, and in the recent wake of market instability, the dollar has depreciated greatly. I’m curious how much that has had an effect on the recent rise in gas prices.
At any rate, there is no doubt that Congress is trying to blame someone else for its inaction and the greedy business people are the most obvious target.