I examine the information content of unrealized cash flow hedge gains/losses for future profitability and stock returns. An unrealized gain on a cash flow hedge suggests that the price of the underlying hedged item (i.e. commodity price, foreign currency exchange rate or interest rate) moved in a direction that negatively affects the firm. Based on this inverse relation, I find that unrealized cash flow hedge gains/losses are negatively associated with future gross margin. This association is weaker for firms that have the ability to pass input price changes through to customers. Finally, I find that investors do not immediately price the information conveyed by cash flow hedges. Instead, investors appear surprised by future realizations of gross margin, consistent with the view that a lack of transparent disclosure on future hedged transactions leads to a delay in pricing. These results may inform current policy decisions of both the FASB and SEC.

The thesis is focused on the management of exchange rate risk in international trade. The work is divided into theoretical and practical part. The first part deals with the theories of the exchange rate, exchange rate risk and also on its management. The most common way of risk hedging is the use of currency derivatives. Therefore their advantages and disadvantages will be presented. In the practical part, theoretical knowledge will be applied to foreign exchange risk management of a specific Czech international trading company. After evaluating of its current approach, more effective hedging strategy will be suggested.