Pricing in Segmented Markets, Arbitrage Barriers and the Law of One Price: Evidence from the European Car Market

Centre for the Study of Globalisation and Regionalisation Working Paper No. 53/00

35 Pages Posted: 24 May 2000

See all articles by Matthias Lutz

Matthias Lutz

Swiss National Bank; University of St. Gallen

Date Written: May 2000

Abstract

The paper examines automobile price differences in the Single Market for the 1993-98 period. The absolute law of one price is strongly rejected, but there is some convergence to its relative version. Two sets of explanations are considered: (i) price-setting in segmented markets and (ii) arbitrage barriers. The role of price-setting variables is seriously overestimated when arbitrage factors are not controlled for. Evidence for Belgium and Luxembourg suggests that the single currency will lower price differences significantly. Arbitrage trade is also likely to become more effective if the block exemption is not extended beyond 2002.

Keywords: Law of One Price, Market Segmentation, Arbitrage, Gravity Model

JEL Classification: F14, F15, L62

Suggested Citation

Lutz, Matthias, Pricing in Segmented Markets, Arbitrage Barriers and the Law of One Price: Evidence from the European Car Market (May 2000). Centre for the Study of Globalisation and Regionalisation Working Paper No. 53/00, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=229811 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.229811

Matthias Lutz (Contact Author)

Swiss National Bank ( email )

Borsenstrasse 15
Zurich, 8022
Switzerland
+41 44 631 36 19 (Phone)

University of St. Gallen ( email )

Bodanstrasse 1
CH-9000 St. Gallen
Switzerland
+41/71/224 23 11 (Phone)

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
426
Abstract Views
2,528
Rank
125,700
PlumX Metrics