6 reasons to adopt currency hedging in your company — even when the dollar is falling

The recent drop in the dollar—which went from levels near R$ 5.40 at the beginning of the year to around R$ 5.20—has brought a little-noticed side effect: the erosion of margins for companies that haven't structured currency hedging. In an environment of high volatility, currency hedging is no longer just a one-off tool but an integral part of a company's financial strategy.

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Geopolitical conflicts, the electoral race in Brazil, and other variables make it impossible to predict the US dollar exchange rate. "We don't know if the dollar will rise again or fall even further. That's why we always emphasize the need for hedging as a tool for protection and anticipating potential risks," says Raphael Coracini, manager of the Foreign Exchange Desk at Ouribank. "A variation like this, of nearly 4%, can directly impact the margin of an exporter or a company that provided a service and is receiving payment now," he says.

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It is less about predicting currency behavior and more about reducing uncertainty, protecting results, and gaining predictability. Below are the main reasons why companies with international exposure need to structure their hedging operations, even in scenarios where the dollar is falling.

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1. Protecting margins

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The most common logic associates currency hedging with times when the dollar is rising because, in general, companies focus on the risk of increased costs or pressure on payments and imports. But in practice, a falling currency can be just as harmful. Companies that closed contracts at higher levels end up absorbing the difference at the time of receipt. "In these more unstable moments, a company that isn't structured and doesn't implement its protections ends up losing its competitive edge and margin," says Raphael Coracini, manager of the Foreign Exchange Desk at Ouribank. This difference can reach the bottom line of the balance sheet, reducing operating profit or, in some cases, completely eliminating profitability.

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2. Reducing uncertainty in an unpredictable scenario

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The global environment remains marked by volatility, with fluctuations influenced by international interest rates, inflation, and economic growth, in addition to geopolitical factors. In this context, trying to anticipate the direction of the exchange rate is becoming increasingly risky. "This volatility is the main risk that companies need to consider when structuring their foreign exchange operations," he explains. In this scenario, hedging stops being a gamble and becomes a tool for predictability.

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3. Avoiding poor decisions due to a lack of strategy

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Without a clear hedging policy, many companies operate reactively, making decisions based solely on the daily exchange rate. "The key factor is understanding the company's current situation. Knowing what percentage of hedging should be done, the timeframes, the right moment for settlement, and, most importantly, the appropriate product," says Coracini. This lack of structure increases risk exposure and compromises the consistency of results.

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4. Avoiding partners that aren't actually partners

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Another recurring mistake lies in the choice of financial institution. Many companies prioritize only the exchange rate and overlook consultative capacity. “It happens that they choose a partner that, in practice, isn't a partner. There is a lack of understanding of the company's current situation, a failure to explain the right product, and a lack of offering the best solutions,” he says. In practice, this means missing opportunities and taking on unnecessary risks. At Ouribank, with over four decades of experience in foreign exchange, the consulting is hands-on and helps companies understand the best format for each business → Discover how we can protect your transactions.

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5. Gaining efficiency with fast and structured execution

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Beyond strategy, execution makes all the difference. In times of volatility, agility can define the outcome of an operation. “We are able to approve hedge operations almost instantly, with very fast credit analysis and execution. This shows that we know what we are doing and reinforces our commitment to client trust,” he states.

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6. Having a partner that follows your business — not just the transaction

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More than just executing transactions, foreign exchange management requires continuous monitoring and an integrated vision. “Our role is to be a partner to the company, offer the right products, understand the timing, and not just execute an operation. The idea is for the client to take care of their business while the bank takes care of the exchange,” says Coracini. The bank has a hub of financial solutions that can capture the needs of each company comprehensively and provide close follow-up.

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This positioning has been reflected in the results. “We grew by about 50% in the volume of hedge operations between 2024 and 2025, which shows client loyalty and confidence in our work,” he says. “This reinforces that currency protection should not be a one-off response, but a structural part of financial management,” the executive concludes.

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