Recently, a leading provider of corporate payment solutions, WEX Inc. (WXS) declared the extension of its fuel–price risk management program. The new program is scheduled to extend through to the third quarter of 2014.

On Mar 18, 2013 WEX purchased instruments to partially insure expected domestic fuel-price-related earnings exposure for the first, second and third quarters of 2014. The company, through these instruments has reduced up to 60%, 40% and 20% of the expected risks for the first, second and third quarters of 2014 respectively. WEX aims to reduce approximately 60% of its price-oriented earnings exposure every quarter on a rolling basis.

These instruments purchased by WEX are specifically designed to improve the future earnings predictions of a company. The fuel-price risk management program of WEX utilizes these instruments to create a “costless collar” to protect it from future exposures. It is based upon the weekly diesel fuel price index of the U.S. Department of Energy and NYMEX unleaded gasoline contracts. The fuel price range considered is $3.43 to $3.49 per gallon.     

WEX has been continuously extending its fuel price risk management program to cover its fuel price related earnings exposures. On Dec 14, 2012, the company extended its existing fuel-price risk management program through the second quarter of 2014. For this it purchased instruments on Dec 10, 2012 which allowed it to hedge nearly 60% through the third quarter of 2013 and 40% and 20% through the first and second quarters of 2014 exposure.  

WEX currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). Among others from the industry Alliance Data Systems Corporation (ADS), Fiserv Inc. (FISV) and Total System Services (TSS) carry a favorable Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) and are worth noting.


 
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