The unconditional and conditional exchange rate exposure of U.S. firms

We re-examine the relationship between exchange rate movements and firm value. We estimate the exchange rate exposure of publicly listed U.S. firms clustered into eleven industries. Using a panel approach, we uncover statistically significant and sizable unconditional exposure. We also examine the dynamics of exchange rate exposure modeled as a function of business cycle indicators and firm characteristics. We find that exposure varies over time with macroeconomic and financial variables and increases during economic contractions. Deviations from the unconditional measure of exposure driven by the macroeconomic variables are economically meaningful.