The theory of storage (Kaldor, Working, Brennan) explains the futures–spot spread by the cost of storage and a benefit of holding inventory. That benefit, per unit of value and time, is the convenience yield : the value of being able to use the commodity now, avoiding a stock-out, keeping a plant running. With it,
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Example 10.5 (Reading a spread)
The front WTI contract is at $80.00 and the second at $79.40, a month apart, with the rate at 4%. The net convenience yield is a year: the market pays about 13% a year above financing to hold oil now. With the second at $80.60, it is : storage is being paid for.