Identify and explain FOUR (4) techniques that can be used internally to hedge exchange rate risk.

1. Matching:
Matching involves aligning the currency of the company’s revenue with the currency of its costs. For example, if a company earns revenue in a foreign currency, it should try to match this by incurring expenses in the same currency. This reduces the exposure to currency fluctuations.

2. Netting:
Netting is a method where a company offsets receivables and payables in the same foreign currency, reducing the need to exchange currencies. This is commonly used in multinational companies where different subsidiaries owe and are owed in the same currency, and the net amount is transferred rather than gross amounts.

3. Leading and Lagging:
Leading and lagging refer to the timing of payments and receipts. If a currency is expected to depreciate, the company may decide to delay payments (lagging) or expedite receipts (leading) to minimize losses. Conversely, if a currency is expected to appreciate, the company might expedite payments or delay receipts.

4. Invoicing in local currency:
Invoicing in the company’s home currency eliminates exchange rate risk as it transfers the risk to the other party. By insisting that all sales and purchases are invoiced in the home currency, the company avoids the need to hedge foreign exchange risk.