“The dollar plays a huge role in this,” Mr. Paulsen said. The dollar’s gains versus other currencies has deflated returns for Americans investing overseas. (Returns from international stocks to U.S. investors decline when the dollar rises, and rise when the dollar falls). The EAFE index’s 2018 loss of 3.20% was just 2.27% in local currency.

I never understood that.  Your positions are worth less because of the strong dollar.  But, you can buy more of them because of the strong dollar.

http://www.investmentnews.com/article/20180601/FREE/180609992/international-funds-continue-to-disappoint

https://www.fool.com/investing/2018/08/29/were-in-the-longest-bull-market-in-history-what-sh.aspx

http://time.com/money/5241566/vicki-robin-financial-independence-retire-early/