Why is the euro not appreciating despite the euro zone’s external surplus?
Despite the United States’ external deficit and the euro zone’s external surplus, the euro is not appreciating against the dollar, unlike what was observed from 2002 to 2008. Why? Has the dollar’s role as a reserve currency grown relative to that of the euro ? Bond capital flows to the United States and the euro zone reveal that this is indeed the case, except with regard to central bank reserves; Have European equities become less attractive under the effect of the euro zone’s lower potential growth, political risk, weak growth in the new technologies sector and the weakness of European banks? Equity capital flows to the United States and the euro zone reveal that non-residents do prefer US equities; The euro’s zero interest rates certainly encourage investors to borrow in euros to invest in dollars.