A Survey on the Usage of Derivatives and Their Effect on Cost of Equity Capital

Journal of Derivatives,19(1), 56-71. doi:10.3905/jod.2011.19.1.056, 2011

16 Pages Posted: 23 Apr 2020

See all articles by Rashid Ameer

Rashid Ameer

IPU New Zealand Tertairy Institute

Rosiatimah

Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)

Azrul Abdullah

Universiti Teknologi MARA; Fakultas Vokasi

Date Written: September 15, 2011

Abstract

This research investigates the usage of derivatives and their impact on the listed companies’ cost of equity (COE) capital in Malaysia. We find that the usage of derivative instruments differs across industry sectors. Foreign exchange exposure management is one of the key components of financial risk management. Standardized over-the-counter forward contracts are used largely for hedging foreign exchange risk, while swaps are used for hedging interest rate risk. Most of the companies have policies for the derivatives activity, and internal and external auditors review such activities, either monthly and/or quarterly. VaR (value at risk) is a prominently used method for risk evaluation followed by stress testing. We also explored the behavioural factors affecting the usage of derivatives. We find that lack of expertise in handling derivatives is a source of concern for managers. Difficulty in understanding complex derivatives is perhaps an intimidating factor. The transaction costs associated with derivatives are another source of concern for managers. Last, we find several reasons for not using derivatives: not having sufficient exposure; their high cost compared with their benefits; lack of expertise; and their non-availability. Multivariate analysis does not support our central hypothesis that a negative relationship exists between the usage of derivatives and the COE capital.

Keywords: Derivatives; Cost of Equity Capital; Transactions Cost; Malaysian Listed Companies

JEL Classification: M48; M41

Suggested Citation

Ameer, Rashid and Mohd Isa, Rosiatimah and Abdullah, Azrul, A Survey on the Usage of Derivatives and Their Effect on Cost of Equity Capital (September 15, 2011). Journal of Derivatives,19(1), 56-71. doi:10.3905/jod.2011.19.1.056, 2011, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3563947

Rashid Ameer

IPU New Zealand Tertairy Institute ( email )

57 Aokautere Drive
Fitzherbert
Palmerston north
New Zealand

Rosiatimah Mohd Isa

Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) ( email )

Azrul Abdullah (Contact Author)

Universiti Teknologi MARA ( email )

Universiti Teknologi MARA
Perlis Branch, Arau Campus
Arau, Perlis 02600
Malaysia

Fakultas Vokasi ( email )

Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
waqar.ahmed.m-2018@feb.unair.ac.id
surabaya, AK jawa timur 60115
Indonesia

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
109
Abstract Views
451
Rank
456,834
PlumX Metrics