Publisher:
Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf Institute for Competition Economics (DICE), Düsseldorf
Abstract:
Edgeworth cycles represent the leading concept to explain observed pricing patterns on retail gasoline markets and have been subject to numerous empirical investigations on an interday level. In this paper, I present unique evidence of the presence, causes, and price effects of intraday Edgeworth-type cycles for an entire OECD country, using high-frequency price data from German gasoline stations. I find vast evidence of intraday cycles across municipalities in Germany. Cycle asymmetry and intensity is stronger in more concentrated markets and decreases with a higher share of non-major brands. My analysis suggests that intraday cycles are a sign of competition with a price decreasing effect during evening hours, where consumers conscious of their purchase timing can benefit most.