Global businesses offer natural hedges against currency swings. As euro-based investors, it’s natural to worry about exchange rates, especially when investing in dollar-denominated assets. A key concern we often hear is: What happens if the US dollar weakens? Will this erode returns from US equities?

While stressful, equity volatility and intra‑year pullbacks are surprisingly common. Since 1980, the S&P 500 has averaged an intra‑year decline of around 14 %, with individual drawdowns reaching up to 40 %. This helps put the recent market disturbance into perspective.

Shielded by NATO’s safety assurances and the US’s defence umbrella, Europe has long been lulled into a false sense of security. However, Russia’s encroachment on Europe’s borders and a polarising presidency across the Atlantic have finally forced the Old Continent to wake up from its decade-long slumber. It is a rude awakening, one that calls for strategic investment, bold action, and serious commitment.