To compare and contrast the dollar’s performance versus the five currencies, the value of the dollar in the first row is used as a reference point. The lower the dollar’s value versus a currency the stronger it is, and the higher the dollar’s value versus a currency, the weaker it is. It can be seen from the above table, the dollar is very weak throughout the 10 years although it is strong against all currencies in 2001. The dollar also rises against CAN and JPY in 2002. – After its best performance year in 2001, and partially good performance in 2002, the dollar’s value starts falling for 9 consecutive years, from 2002 to 2010, except in 2008 when the dollar rises against GBP quite significantly. During these 9 years, GBP, EUR, and CAN all achieve their maximum gain against the dollar in 2007. Also, the dollar suffers the biggest fall against JPY in 2010. The Chinese Yuan is not active until 2005, and it gains against the dollar since then.
It can be seen from the table that the net export number, though fluctuates much from year to year, is not indicative for the rise and fall of the dollar’s value as other fundamental indicators are more significant in driving the dollar’s value from 2000 to 2010. It seems that the dollar, since its 911 incidence, has not been able to recover its strength.