Does foreign currency exchange hedging both reduce risk and increase expected value? Explain, and list several arguments in favor of currency risk management and several against

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answer: Foreign exchange currency hedging can reduce the variability of foreign currency receivables or payables by locking in a specific exchange rate in the future via a forward contract, converting currency at the current spot rate using a money market hedge, or minimizing unfavorable exchange rate movement with a currency option. None of these hedging techniques, however, increases the expected value of the foreign currency exchange. In fact, expected value should fall by an amount equal to the cost of the hedge.
Generally, those in favor of currency risk management find value in the reduction of variability of uncertain cash flows. Those opposed to currency risk management argue the NPV of such activities are $0 or less and that shareholders can reduce risk themselves more efficiently. For a more complete answer to this question, see page 4 where the author outlines several arguments for and against currency risk management.