Is a Strong U.S. Dollar Good or Bad?

The U.S. dollar is flexing its muscles. So far this year, the U.S. Dollar Index, which tracks the dollar against six other currencies, has gained 15% and is near a 20-year high.¹ So, is a strengthening dollar a good thing for your wealth?

The concept of a strong dollar is hard to understand. One reason is that it’s not an individual currency phenomenon. Instead, it’s more like a tug-of-war: If the dollar strengthens, another currency—like the euro or Yen—must weaken.

Another reason is that a strengthening dollar is not good or bad. It depends on your perspective. What does that mean? Of course, the answer is not straightforward (shocking—what part of economics is?). But all else being equal, this chart can help explain some of the potential positives and negatives.

So, a strengthening dollar is a double-edged sword—it may give you access to cheaper foreign goods and the ability to buy more for less when you travel overseas. But, it could hurt America’s competitiveness, which may ultimately decrease U.S. economic growth.

How could rising rates impact the dollar strength?

Investors, especially foreign governments, need to put their money somewhere. So, they usually invest in what they believe to be the safest, highest-yielding instruments available. Often, that has been U.S. government bonds.

Rising rates in the U.S. usually mean treasury bonds offer higher yields. So, foreigners may buy U.S. bonds (in dollars) which may continue to strengthen the U.S. dollar.