The Dollar's 2014 Power Surge

In 2014, the dollar saw unprecedented strength against its rival currencies, appreciating throughout the year and continuing to rise so far in 2015. This development has mixed implications for the U.S. economy as well as the global markets; in some respects, a strong dollar is helpful to U.S. consumers and merchants selling dollar-denominated assets. In other ways, it is an anathema to the continued dominance of American firms overseas, as many central banks and monetary authorities are currently engaging in currency devaluation in order to gain a competitive advantage in international trade. This infographic helps explain the "how" and "why" of the dollar's incredible surge over the last year, with an eye to the possible future ramifications of a robust dollar.