The recent Fed rate cut impacts the US dollar: Should travelers be concerned?
This past Wednesday, the Federal Reserve decided to reduce its benchmark interest rate by a substantial half percentage point, marking its first rate cut in four years. This change led to a slight drop in the dollar’s value internationally. However, if you’re planning a trip overseas soon, there’s no immediate need to go exchange your dollars.
The effect of this rate cut has been anticipated for a while, and as a result, the valuation of the dollar in global markets has already adjusted accordingly.
According to Laura Veldkamp, an economics and finance professor at Columbia Business School, “Exchange rates typically react when a decrease is anticipated. The exchange rate is structured so that no one incurs a loss.”
She further explained that if the Fed had defied expectations and either maintained or increased rates on Wednesday, there would have been a more significant shift, likely resulting in a larger appreciation of the dollar versus other currencies.
If you have travel plans, it’s not crucial to stress over obtaining foreign currency immediately after the Fed’s announcement.
Veldkamp advises, “If you need foreign money, purchase it when the time comes,” since any minor changes in currency rates following the Fed’s decision will probably be negligible. “Generally, speculating on currency is a poor strategy even the experts struggle with it.”
Zach Wichter is a travel writer located in New York.