Does hedge accounting reduce earnings volatility? Evidence from the implementation of MFRS no. 9 in Malaysia two export-oriented industries

The objective of this research is to explore how the use of derivatives can affect the earnings volatility of Malaysian companies. Besides, this research aims to analyse the tendency of Malaysian companies in employing hedge accounting. Most importantly, this research also aims to determine how the use of hedge accounting and MFRS No. 9 adoption can impact the earnings volatility of Malaysian companies. This research uses a sample of 52 non-financial listed companies on Bursa Malaysia over a period of two years from 1st January 2017 to 31st December 2018. These 52 companies are from two export-oriented industries, namely, the electrical and electronics industry and the wood & wood products and furniture industry. This research finds a negative but insignificant relationship between the use of derivatives and corporate earnings volatility. Besides, this research reveals that MFRS No. 9 adoption increased the number of hedge accounting users. However, still more than half of the sample companies prefer not to employ hedge accounting after the implementation of MFRS No. 9. On the other hand, this research finds a significant positive relationship between the use of hedge accounting and corporate earnings volatility. The two reasons why the use of hedge accounting can lead to the fluctuation in earnings volatility of Malaysian companies are the lack of practical hedge accounting experience and the relatively short event window. Furthermore, this research finds a negative but insignificant relationship between MFRS No. 9 adoption and corporate earnings volatility