2006-02-01
A firm-specific analysis of the exchange-rate exposure of Dutch firms
Publication
Publication
Journal of International Financial Management and Accounting , Volume 17 - Issue 1 p. 1- 28
We examine the relationship between exchange-rate changes and stock returns for a sample of Dutch firms over 1994-1998. We find that over 50 per cent of the firms are significantly exposed to exchange-rate risk. Furthermore, all firms with significant exchange-rate exposure benefit from a depreciation of the Dutch guilder relative to a trade-weighted currency index. This result confirms that firms in open economies, such as the Netherlands, exhibit significant exchange-rate exposure. We collect unique information on the most relevant individual currencies for each firm with respect to their influence on firm value. Our results indicate that the use of a trade-weighted currency index and the use of individual exchange rates are complements. We also measure the determinants of exchange-rate exposure. As expected, we find that firm size and the foreign sales ratio are significantly and positively related to exchange-rate exposure. In contrast with our hypothesis, off-balance hedging using derivatives has no significant effects. Finally, in line with theory, we find that exposure is significantly reduced through on-balance sheet hedging, i.e., through foreign loans and by producing in factories abroad.
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doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-646X.2006.00119.x, hdl.handle.net/1765/54987 | |
Journal of International Financial Management and Accounting | |
Organisation | Erasmus Research Institute of Management |
de Jong, A., Ligterink, J., & Macrae, V. (2006). A firm-specific analysis of the exchange-rate exposure of Dutch firms. Journal of International Financial Management and Accounting, 17(1), 1–28. doi:10.1111/j.1467-646X.2006.00119.x |