To: UnBelievable who wrote (32061 ) 10/5/2000 9:08:31 AM From: donald sew Read Replies (2) | Respond to of 42787 Unbelievable, >>>> ECB Raises Rates .25 <<<< Recently I have heard alot of hoopla about the US DOLLAR's value being so high and the EURO so low, that it is keeping the market up. What some may fail to realise is longer-term the strong US DOLLAR may have significant downside effects on our stock market. I checked this past weekend again with some of my old buddies in the steamship biz, and they confirm again that the vessels are full both import and export, but that the US EXPORTs are only the cheapest of cargoes such as waste paper/metal scrap/wet salted hides/cheap chemicals(syn resin)/ paper products/lumber&logs. To put it into perspective, a container of waste paper has a value of $500-1500 while a container of imported electronics has a value of $400,000-1,000,000+. There is hardly any machinery/road building equipment being exported now from the US which is already hurting quite a few domestic industries. What makes it worse is that competitive products made in EUROPE are now cheaper in light of the value of the EURO vs US DOLLAR and exports ex EUROPE is impoving significantly in terms of value. In other words, more and more EUROPEAN companies which are more reliant on their exports, are doing better which could help improve the economy of EUROPE. Lets wait a few quarters and see. If this does improve the economy of EUROPE and other areas, then eventually the EURO will become more valued which could cause an outflow of currency from the U.S. There are some hints that such has already started. Im no expect in international economics, but I dont think Im that far out of line.