Everyone Is Talking About the Dollar. Let’s Talk About Currency ETFs.

May 15, 2008 at 2:00 pm by Tom Lydon

Jayzeuro Exchange traded fund (ETF) investors are fully aware of the value of the dollar these days as they snap up products that allow them to hedge its losses. But now more than ever, even the average Joe knows what the dollar is (or isn’t) worth.

It’s invaded pop culture: you’ve got Jay-Z waving euros in a video. McDonald’s commercials talk about how the dollar is "dropping like a lead balloon." Model Giselle Bundchen was rumored to be asking to be paid in euros awhile back.

Since when are exchange rates the subject on the minds of so many? People are becoming increasingly aware of the fact that it’s possible to spend your dollars on other forms of currency, says Rob Walker for the New York Times. Some point to the internet and the wide choices of financial news sources.

One bank has sold foreign-denominated certificates of deposit (CDs) for years, and they’re more popular today than ever.

Don’t count out foreign currency ETFs and exchange traded notes (ETNs) - there are more choices than ever, and more are likely to come along. Investors can hedge the falling dollar against the euro or the Japanese yen and a number of other currencies, or they can simply bet on a bullish or bearish dollar.

Among the many currency ETFs and ETNs:

  • CurrencyShares Euro Trust (FXE)
  • PowerShares DB US Dollar Index Bullish (UUP)
  • Market Vectors Rupee/USD ETN (INR)
  • WisdomTree Dreyfus Brazilian Real (BZF)

Read the disclosure, as Tom Lydon is a member of Rydex Funds.

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