The foreign exchange exposure of domestic companies in Eurozone : case of the Baltic states

Abstract

In this paper we are looking for answers: are domestic companies operating in small market economies such as the Baltics with little or no direct foreign involvement also at risk, taking into account that our companies mainly as a mean of exchange are using euro. The aim of this study is to examine the foreign exchange rate exposure of domestic corporations in the Baltic States. The study shows that companies in the Baltic States tend not to manage their foreign exchange risk properly and some of the companies are thus exposed to significant losses due to fluctuations in currency exchange rates. The VaR estimates are proposed and evaluated as a method to measure the position that is necessary to hedge.