All of the studies cited above have examined which factors could be associated
with the probability that a firm hedges.With the exception of Tufano (1996) and
Haushalter (2000), who also examine the level of hedging in a particular industry
(gold,and oil and gas respectively),no other study in the general derivatives area
has looked for the factors that are associated with the extent of hedging.
In this paper,we examine this question in the context of foreign currency hedging
and for a large cross-section of industries.Testing the determinants of the amount
of hedging can provide additional evidence for the use of foreign currency derivatives
as a hedge.In particular,if a firm uses such hedges,we expect its decision on how
muchtohedgetodependonitsexposurethroughforeignsalesandforeigntrade.
Our findings would add to the evidence of the previous section,suggesting that firms
use currency derivatives to hedge.