Diesel Price Pass-Through into California Grocery Store Milk Prices (w/ Jens Hilscher and Bulat Gafarov)
Abstract: We present new estimates of diesel fuel price pass-through into milk prices. We use Nielsen IQ scanner data from 2006 to 2023 to estimate average diesel pass-through to milk prices in California. We estimate monthly impulse response estimates using panel local projection, and controlling for core CPI inflation. This approach is unique as it delivers pass-through statistics down to the consumer level. We find that the pass-through is significantly different for organic milk (lower), conventional milk, and private label milk (higher). Transmission effects peak at 23% and 10% for private label and national brand conventional milk respectively. The effect of diesel price changes on organic milk are not statistically different from zero, suggesting a low share of transportation costs in the overall prices of high-markup milk varieties. The high pass through measurements show that the diesel price surge of 2022 significantly affected milk prices and thus contributed to the recent food inflation and cost of living crisis.
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Understanding Price Premia for Labeled and Claim Products in Retail Settings (w/ Kristin Kiesel, advised by Rich Sexton)
Abstract coming soon.
Estimating California Egg Price and Quantity Dynamics Following Avian Influenza Outbreaks (w/ Jens Hilscher and Bulat Gafarov)
Abstract coming soon.
“Scoring Benefits to Eastward Travel in the NBA.” (2023) Journal of Sports Economics 24, no. 1, 50-72. https://doi.org/10.1177/15270025221100202 (with Ryland Burke, Lawrence Watson, and Jacqueline Doremus)
Abstract: Travel across time zones may affect player scoring through circadian rhythm. We test how travel affects scoring for the US National Basketball Association from 2014–2018, a period featuring a new game scheduler. We also test whether a collective bargaining agreement that protected player rest changed how travel affects scoring. We find eastward travel increases scoring and point spread via three-pointers and field goals, with implications for point spread betting in sports gambling markets. The 2017 collective bargaining agreement mitigates the eastward travel benefit on scoring and increases scoring overall, suggesting improved fairness and potential benefits for players and fans.