U.S. Firms Embrace Currency Options as Election Hedge

U.S. companies are increasingly turning to foreign exchange options as a hedging strategy against potential currency volatility triggered by the upcoming U.S. presidential election and diverging central bank policies. This renewed interest in currency options comes as hedging costs have decreased due to lower currency volatility compared to the 2020-2022 period. Recent surveys indicate that a majority of U.S. companies plan to increase their use of options, with overall currency exposure hedging rising from 46% to 48% in the second quarter. Companies are particularly concerned about the potential economic impacts of different policy approaches from presidential candidates, which could affect inflation, interest rates, and ultimately, currency values.