WSJ What’s News What a Weaker Dollar Means for Businesses and the World
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Jan 28, 2026 
Laura Casisto, Deputy Law Bureau Chief at The Wall Street Journal, offers crisp legal perspective. Alex Frangos, Journal Finance editor, breaks down currency-market moves. They discuss the dollar’s sharp slide and what spurred traders to sell. They also cover Nvidia’s AI chip sales in China and shifting Middle East alliances.
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Weaker Dollar Can Boost U.S. Firms
- The dollar has slid to a four-year low amid Fed cuts and geopolitical risk, making U.S. exports cheaper.
- Alex Frangos says a modestly weaker dollar can boost corporate profits from overseas sales and support stock gains.
Political Signals Move Currency Markets
- Presidential comments signaling comfort with a weaker currency amplified market moves and fed speculation about policy preferences.
- Alex Frangos notes it's unusual for leaders to comment because past administrations kept a "strong dollar" stance private.
Treat Mild Dollar Drops As A Positive Signal
- Recognize that a modest currency depreciation can stimulate exports and corporate earnings.
- Investors should view slight dollar weakness as potentially supportive for U.S. stocks with large foreign revenue.