In finance, a hedge is an investment or strategy used to reduce or offset the risk of adverse price movements in an asset.
Types of hedges includes natural and financial hedge.
In finance, a hedge is an investment or strategy used to reduce or offset the risk of adverse price movements in an asset. Think of it as insurance for your investments - you make a second investment to protect yourself if your first one loses value.
The main goal of hedging is risk management, not profit. It’s used to:
Suppose an Indian company expects to receive $1 million in three months and is worried that the USD/INR exchange rate might fall. To hedge this risk, it enters into a forward contract to lock in the current rate. This way, even if the rupee strengthens, the company is protected.
1. Natural Hedge: Reducing risk by operating in a way that automatically offsets exposure.
Example: A company earning in USD and incurring costs in USD.
2. Financial Hedge: Using financial instruments to protect against risks.
Example: Buying a put option on a stock you own.
Hedging Instrument | Used For | Example |
---|---|---|
Forward Contracts | Currency, commodity, interest rate | Lock exchange rates |
Futures Contracts | Commodities, indices | Lock prices of oil or wheat |
Options Contracts | Stocks, currencies, commodities | Protect against downside loss |
Swaps | Interest rates, currencies | Exchange fixed and floating interest |
Short Selling | Equity markets | Protect long positions |
Importers/Exporters hedge against currency risk using forwards or currency options.
Farmers hedge future prices of crops using commodity futures on exchanges like MCX.
Stock investors hedge their portfolios using index options like Nifty puts.