FAS 133 "s Four Categories of Hedges
Under FAS 133, all hedging transaction gains and losses
must be accounted for in one of four specified manners. Each
of the four manners of accounting is categorized as a type of
hedging transaction. Thus four categories of hedging
transactions exist.In general, the accounting for a hedging transaction gain
or loss depends on (1) the intended use ofthe derivative and
(2) the resulting designation (discussed more fully shortly).
Thus, in general, hedging transactions of a certain type can
only be accounted for using the accounting specified for that
type of hedge. As a result of FAS 138 (which amended FAS
133 in 2000), however, certain foreign exchange hedging
transactions may be classified as any ofthe first three ofthe
four types of hedges (presented shortly).
Accordingly, all hedging transactions must fall into one
of the following four categories (each category having its
own unique manner of accounting):
I. "Undesignated" hedges (hedge accounting does not
apply). These hedges are not designated being one of the
other three types of hedges because (1) they do not qualify as
such or (2) they qualify as such but may also be treated as
undesignated hedges (as allowed by FAS 138). Hedges of FX
receivables on exporting transactions and FX payables on
importing transactions may be classified as (1) undesignated
hedges, (2) fair value hedges, or (3) cash flow hedges (as a
result of FAS 138).
Because hedge accounting does not apply, FX gains or
losses on hedging transactions classified as an undesignated
hedge are always reported currently in earnings. (This
category could also be labeled as "hedges not requiring hedge
accounting" or as "nonhedge accounting hedges.")
For these types of hedges, the hedging gain or loss
reported currently in earnings is automatically offset by the
recognized loss or gain on the hedged item that is also
reported currently in earnings.Thus no special treatment need
be set forth in FAS 133 to obtain offsetting concurrent
recognition (as is required for the other three categories of
hedges).
2.Fair value hedges (hedge accounting appIies).Hedges
of unrecognized firm commitments denominated In a foreign
currency (such as purchase orders issued to foreign vendors
and sales orders from foreign customers) fall into this
category.FX gains or losses on hedges of these firm
commitments are always reported currently in earnings.This
special hedge accounting treatment here, however, is that of
recognizing in earnings currently the gain or loss in the item
being bought or sold, even though the item has not yet been
received or shipped, respectively.