From outside the US, all the 'stock market gains' have actually been zero or negative because of this. I wonder how long before inflation hits...
replies(3):
Always check both local currency and USD returns when evaluating international markets.
1. You exchange Dollars for Euros
2. You buy a stock in Euros
3. You hold the stock in Euros for a period of time
4. You sell the stock in Euros
5. You exchange your Euros for Dollars.
The difference in the exchange rate in step 1 and 5 can have a very large impact on your total return, often times a larger impact than step 3.