AbstractThis article considers optimal futures hedging decisions when the hedger is disappointment‐averse (Gul, 1991). When the futures contract is a perfect hedge instrument, a disappointment‐averse hedger always holds a position closer to the full hedge than a nondisappointment‐averse hedger. In the presence of basis risk, the optimal futures position is either a partial hedge or a full hedge. Neither Texas hedge nor overhedge could be optimal. The effects of different degrees of disappointment aversion on futures trading are also analyzed. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 21:1029–1042, 2001