Usage Derivatives In Management Financial Risks: A Study On Firms In Borsa Istanbul (Bist) 100 Stock Index

Abstract

Firms that experience risks as a result of their activities, use various tools to manage these risks and be protected against them. One of the most significant tools used for protection against financial risks is derivatives. Derivatives used by firms to eliminate the financial risks caused by uncertainty, future price changes and other factors, contribute to diminish fluctuations on future prices and market mechanism to operate in a reliable environment. In this study, after informing about primary derivative products, research is focused on the level of usage of derivatives against risks caused by financial tools by firms registered on BIST 100 stock index operating in other than financial sector and which derivative products are being used by mentioned firms. In the result, it is founded that in 2013, 36 % of the firms and in 2014, 45 % of the firms in the context of the study use derivative products against financial risks. It is also founded that firms use swap contracts against interest risks, and futures contracts are preferred by firms against exchange risk. In addition to this, option contracts are mostly used against other price risks.