Imagine an equity-oriented state pension fund (such as the State of Maryland Pension funds). Suppose their equity portfolio is NOT identical to the S&P 500 index. Further, suppose that due to a state budget shortfall, the year's additions to the pension fund are likely to be less than actuarially sound. Thus, the fund is becoming very risk-averse. And it needs to implement this feeling by hedging. CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWER, even though there might be more than one true answer.This is actually a question about hedge ratios.

A. If the equity portfolio's beta is close to 0, then they could decide to match the overall exposure, via S&P Index futures contracts, to the fund's value. That is, # of contracts times the contract multiplier times the index would approximately equal the value of the fund.

B. If the equity portfolio's beta is close to .4, then they would have a tough time using S&P 500 contracts, so they would instead use foreign exchange contracts. C. If the equity portfolio's beta is close to 1, then they could decide to match the overall exposure, via S&P Index futures contracts, to the fund's value. That is, # of contracts times the contract multiplier times the index would approximately equal the value of the fund.