Hedging, selective hedging, or speculation? Evidence of the use of derivatives by Brazilian firms during the financial crisis

•The paper analyze the use of derivatives by firms using balance sheet data.•Hedgers, selective hedgers and speculators are identified in the sample.•Hedgers are (net) debtors holding long positions in the derivative market.•Selective hedgers and speculators hold short positions in the derivative market.•Firms’ exposure, governance, and macroeconomic condition lead to speculation.

This paper analyse the use of foreign exchange derivatives by non-financial publicly traded Brazilian companies from 2007 to 2009. Using balance-sheet data on firms’ positions in derivatives and their foreign exchange exposure, the paper verifies the existence of three groups of derivative users: hedgers, selective hedgers – companies that significantly changed the volume of derivatives used during this period, but used them in line with their currency exposure – and active speculators – companies that adopted positions that would have been inadvisable had the aim been to hedge their currency exposure. Selective hedgers and speculators have one similarity: both tried to obtain gains through the continuous process of domestic currency appreciation. Confirming the optimal hedging literature, the paper shows that several firm characteristics are able to explain the use of derivatives and hedging by firms but market timing in the derivative markets is explained solely by firms’ foreign exposure, corporate governance and the macroeconomic environment.