Aug 2, 2008

IMF: Dollar Remains Paramount

In a recent report on the state of the Dollar, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) declared that the Dollar's unprecedented period of dominance will not likely come to an end anytime soon. This assertion seems to sharply contradict the 25% depreciation (in trade-weighted terms) that has taken place since 2002. Moreover, many countries have liberalized their exchange rate regimes, such that they no longer need to maintain large stores of Dollar assets. The report's conclusion draws strength from another period of sustained Dollar depreciation (which took place from 1985 and 1991), which was likewise not able to shake the currency loose from its moorings. The IMF does concede that Central Banks will probably continue to diversify their reserves in Euros, especially as EU capital markets continue to be seen as a stable alternative to those in the US. In the end, however, they see the Greenback is King. The Daily Monitor reports:

“Notwithstanding the dramatic claims by some, there is no doubt that the dollar will retain the central role, even though it may gradually share the stage with other currencies to a greater degree than at present."

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