Please stay tuned for important disclosure information at the conclusion of this episode.

Welcome to Investing Insights. I'm your host, Ivana Hampton. How is the weakening dollar affecting your portfolio?

The world's reserve currency fell sharply in the first half of 2025, making it

a bruising year. It has recovered some, but still sits below where it started the year. Other

currencies like the euro, Japanese yen, and Mexican peso look stronger against the greenback.

Several factors could influence whether the dollar roars back or receipts.

Why should the dollar's performance matter for everyday investors like you?

Morning Start Index's strategist Dan Lefkowitz is here to explain why and what you can do to protect your portfolio from currency luxurations. Thanks for being here, Dan.

Always great to be with you, Ivana. Let's start with an easy question. What's going on with the dollar?

Easy one. Well, it's interesting. You know, if you go back one year to the U.S. election, November

2024, the dollar shot up, right? That was one of the Trump trades,

so to speak. The market anticipated pro-growth policies, big spending, probably some inflation,

interest rates maybe that would stay higher for longer. But that rising dollar really reversed

in 2025. So that Trump trade really, I think the market kind of got wrong.

You know, in 2025, the tariffs have certainly unsettled folks about the dollar, debt and

deficit concerns, tension between the White House and the Federal Reserve.

Whatever the case, the dollar had its worst first half in the first half

of 2025 for any year since 1973. So really fell versus major trading partners. It has rebounded

since then, but it's still down for the year. Now, I read your columns on morningstar.com,

and I recommend everyone listening watching to read your columns of morningstar.com, and I recommend everyone listening watching to

read your columns of morningstar.com.

A lot of worried investors are likely asking the same question.

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