As Dollar Gains Strength, ETF Seeks New Shares

December 18th at 12:00pm by Tom Lydon

110_F_10056568_jVWXdulxuaEG6wEPKSrpFY8oWK3CmjXL In a reversal of fortune, the U.S. dollar has managed to make moves and gain higher ground against other major currencies. Currency exchange traded funds (ETFs) are reflecting the shift in tides – especially the bullish dollar fund.

The dollar jumped today after traders succeeded in pushing it through some key levels against the euro and the yen, sending it to its highest level since Sept. 7, reports Fabio Alves for The Wall Street Journal. The euro has been pushed down to $1.43 for the first time in a quarter. [How is a weaker euro affecting ETFs?]

The dollar’s renewed vigor has PowerShares seeking an additional 240 million shares for the PowerShares DB U.S. Dollar Index Bullish (NYSEArca: UUP), which has seen a spike in volume this week. Trading in the fund was halted after it ran out of shares, similar to what happened in the fund in November. Edward Krudy for Reuters reports that the fund has rallied 5% since late October, and many believe that the dollar has hit a low.

Trends are working in favor of the U.S. dollar as the health of the domestic economy shows increasing signs of stabilization. Since Dec. 3, the greenback is up 5.6% against the euro and 3% against the yen. [How currency ETFs can be a defensive play in this market.]

Greece was facing up on Friday to a crucial budget debate this weekend as the country struggled to confront its massive debt, which has put pressure on the euro and alarmed markets worldwide.[Stocks are mixed on news about a strong dollar.]

The bank of Japan left interest rates unchanged yesterday, putting further pressure on the yen, reports Alves. Japan is seeking to curtail deflation, and strategists say interest rates in the country could remain low as a result.