Detailed Answer
Answer (B) is correct. A change in prices can be minimized or avoided by hedging. Hedging is the process of using offsetting commitments to minimize or avoid the impact of adverse price movements. The automobile company desires to stabilize the price of steel so that its cost to the company will not rise and cut into profits. Accordingly, the automobile company uses the futures market to create a long hedge, which is a futures contract that is purchased to protect against price increases.
