Testing strength
European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet is right to focus on exchange rate volatility, not absolute strength, as the main concern
Dollar under pressure
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The sharp fall in the US dollar is giving ammunition to the critics of the Obama administration and fuelling broader concerns about the erosion of America’s reserve currency status
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Dovish Fed keeps pressure on dollar
After the Fed reiterated its commitment to keep US interest rates low for the foreseeable future, the dollar pulled back from a one-month high
Dollar at crossroads ahead of policy meetings
Moves by three central banks will set wider trends in investment at a time when rallies in risky assets could be running out of steam
US cheer weighs on dollar
The dollar slid sharply on Thursday after data showed the US economy emerged from technical recession in the third quarter
Dollar rises further on haven demand
The US currency held on to its gains against the euro following a sharp move higher in the previous session
Dollar wobbles after Chinese comments
The greenback drops to a 14-month low against the euro, but later regains strength to notch up gains relative to other big currencies
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Currencies in context
The spotlight has been thrown on the dollar in the past week as it fell to a 14-month low against a basket of currencies and analysts have raised concerns about the potential erosion of America’s reserve currency status. Use our graphic to view the dollar within the framework of the current major trends in the currencies market
Comment & Analysis
Down but not out
The dollar: Despite prevailing ‘declinism’, there is no evidence of a rout – though recent lows have highlighted fundamental questions about the US currency’s long-term prospects
The rumours of the dollar’s death are much exaggerated
Recent figures have proved that the dollar’s fall is a symptom of success, not of failure. All the same, the dollar-based global monetary system is defective. It would be good to start building alternative arrangements, writes Martin Wolf
How to avoid greenback grief
America’s leaders should commit now and in detail to implement deficit reduction once the economy has strengthened. Vague promises will not work, says Roger Altman
Making the case for a weaker dollar
Imagine a world with a small current account deficit in the US, a somewhat larger deficit in the eurozone and a not too excessive Asian surplus. In the long run, such a world would require significant reform of the monetary system. But in the short term, a fall in the dollar would help, writes Wolfgang Münchau
It’s too early to sing a requiem for the dollar
The dollar looks just about dead. The US is running a massive trade deficit, has an almost unfeasibly large budget deficit and offers basically no yield at all to anyone dumb enough to hold its currency.
A strong US needs a weakened dollar
Politicians everywhere see strong currencies as national virility symbols, but the effect of a cheaper dollar would be to help American exporters while making imports to the US dearer
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