dollar

Learning How to Appreciate the US Dollar on the World Exchange Market

Angela Manning Finance , , ,
Learning How to Appreciate the US Dollar on the World Exchange Market

When Visiting Another Country

If we remain at home and do not travel abroad, we can appreciate what it is like in other countries by looking at the pictures that our friends bring back from their visits to other countries. Not everyone can be a world traveler, but some have the resources to travel and share their experiences. This is the case with a travel journalist who spends their whole life traveling from country to country and taking pictures for others who may be interested in visiting.

Travel Journalist

Of course, tourism loves a travel journalist because people get a chance to see what the country is like before they visit, and this attracts visitors to the country. At some point, the tourist does travel outside the United States or other departure cities and travel to their destinations outside of their native countries. When they go to another country, they will need to exchange their currency with the currency of the country they are traveling in. Foreign exchanges are suitable for businesses who can receive their currency at the point of sale, and tourists can exchange foreign currency on their exit.

Use of Foreign Currencies

When we travel to another country, we are in the habit of using another country’s currency. If we go to Japan, we use the yen, but if we travel to Germany, we use the euro. Again if we travel to Iraq, we will receive dinar value for our US dollars. Many currencies are traded throughout the world. The value of these other currencies change to more or less equal to the US dollar, dependant upon the political and economic factors of the country.

Foreign Currencies Change in Value

While we may not notice the fluctuation in the value of the Chinese yen or the German marc, when we are in those countries, every country’s currency is in constant fluctuation. When we land in a country for vacation, we will trade our US dollars for the currency of that country we are vacationing. When we leave the country, we will again trade our British pound for the US dollar, which may have changed during our stay. Our British pound may have become less valuable to us during our vacation and, therefore, when we receive, we receive fewer US dollars. That is what is called the foreign exchange rate.

US Dollar and the Strength of Other Currencies

The US dollar is seen as probably the most robust dollar in foreign exchanges along with the British pound. A few reasons why there is strength in the US dollar is because of the strong economy and its GDP or Gross Domestic Product. Along with a stable democratic government and a capitalistic economy, it gives the US dollar a leading edge over other countries. Some countries may have a different form of government which causes it to be unstable, or they are at a time of unrest and political war within the state. When a country fails to produce products on a world market and few products are being traded with other countries, this will affect that countries value of its currency. The US dollar has a stable government and banking system, especially the Federal Reserve Bank which keeps the US dollar active in both economic growth or economic slumps in the economy.

Iraqi Dinar Against the US Dollar

Presently, the Iraqi dinar (IQD) is trading about 1166 to a US Dollar, which, according to foreign exchanges, is the lowest it has ever been. The IQD has a high value if it could get itself out of the slump that it fell into after the Iraqi War. The strong possibility of a revaluation of the IQD is reliable, but presently its major commodity is oil and oil is not trading well on the world market.

Oil Prices Could Change

Oil is selling at a lower price because there is a great emphasis on finding other kinds of natural fuels. Another problem with the revaluation of the IQD at present is the political unrest the country is experiencing. Finally, the IQD is not traded on some foreign exchanges because of its meager value, even though they trade almost all other foreign currencies. The potential for a revaluation of the IQD is still being held steady for the future. The reason for this revaluation is because of the possibility that oil prices will increase. If oil prices move from their present value to $100 per barrel, then Iraq would be very wealthy. Iraq has a reserve of 143 billion barrels of oil, and they are the fourth largest exporter of oil in the world. At present, this is outside of the hands of the local Iraqi government, and only the future will tell whether the IQD will receive a greater revaluation on the world foreign exchange.

How A Weak Dollar Policy Makes Money For Silver Investors

Angela Manning Finance , , , ,
How A Weak Dollar Policy Makes Money For Silver Investors

The U.S. has shifted gears and is now following a weak dollar policy. At least, that’s what economists believe following Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin’s comments in January 2018 welcoming a weak dollar, saying that it’s great for American businesses and will help reduce the U.S.’s trade deficits. With trade deficits a top priority for the Trump administration, it looks like the U.S. government is out to weaken its dollar against other currencies to help improve manufacturing competitiveness and boost exports.

What does the weak dollar policy have to do with silver prices? Over 50 percent of silver demand comes from industry. Silver may be the most widely used precious metal in industrial applications. If a weak American dollar means more exports, it also means more industrial activity. Only about a quarter of silver is used in coins and medals, including silver collectibles, collectible silver coins, and silver bullion coins.

The largest industrial uses for silver are in computers and electronics, medical uses, silver brazing and soldering, chemical manufacturing, engine manufacturing, solar panels, and glass and mirrors.

Electronics accounted for 5.9 percent of U.S. manufacturing shipments in 2012 while chemical production was more than $767 billion in 2016. Pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing is another major U.S. manufacturing sector. As all of these sectors use silver as a key component in many consumables and devices, silver demand will see gain thanks to stronger exports.

Keep an eye on the latest price of silver in the coming months and years to see how industrial demand becomes great news for silver investors. Would-be silver investors should start buying silver sooner than later if they want to take advantage of increased industrial demand spurred on by a stronger U.S. manufacturing sector.

The silver market is not easy to predict, but there are more factors than just industrial demand playing into silver price predictions. An uneasy stock market and rising interest rates are also factors that could contribute to rising silver prices in the near future. Supply is another concern as there could be silver shortages down the pipeline due to present under-investment from mining companies.

You can start investing in silver online from sources like Silver Gold Bull, precious metal distributors who connect consumers with silver bullion from around the world. Silver coins, silver rounds, and silver bars are some of the most common silver bullion products you can invest in. Silver coins like the Silver Maple Leaf and American Silver Eagle are not available for purchase directly from national mints. You will have to buy the from silver dealers like Silver Gold Bull, which are also convenient sources for silver products like privately refined silver bars. Privately refined silver bullion often comes at much lower premiums than silver coins, but there are restrictions on which silver products can be purchased as part of an RRSP portfolio. Do your research into which silver products qualify for tax advantages and whether or not it makes more sense to buy at a lower premium. Silver investors are about to see major gains in their portfolios. Don’t miss out on the opportunity.