Mammoney - Your Ultimate Guide to Personal Finance & Investing

How to Use Diversification to Hedge Against Currency Risk Introduction In an increasingly interconnected global economy, currency risk—also known as foreign exchange risk or exchange rate risk—has become a pervasive challenge for investors, businesses, and even everyday consumers engaged in international transactions. Currency risk arises when fluctuations in exchange rates between different currencies lead to unexpected gains or losses in the value of assets, liabilities, or cash flows denominated in foreign currencies. For instance, a U.S.-based investor holding European stocks might see their returns eroded if the euro weakens against the dollar, even if the underlying stocks perform well. This risk is exacerbated by factors such as geopolitical tensions, interest rate differentials, inflation variances, and economic policy shifts across nations. The relevance of addressing currency risk cannot be overstated; according to various financial analyses, unhedged international portfoli...