Targeting 80c for the Aussie dollar

When thinking about the obvious macro factor that investors should be across in 2020, global bond yields spring to mind, however at Market Matters we’re not about pondering the obvious, we’re about highlighting the non-consensus views which could have a bigger impact on asset prices. 

So in this piece, we give an honorary mention to bond yields and our expectation that the nadir on the downside has been and gone, however, we’ll highlight the Australian Dollar as the most influential macro factor for 2020. 

The $A is largely driven by interest rate differentials amongst other factors, but it’s the positioning around the  $A which makes the local currency a fascinating subject to us at the moment – we believe investors are positioned for a lower for longer $A implying the more aggressive move could happen on the upside. 

We have a contrarian bullish opinion on the $A, which if correct will remove the major earnings tailwind that has been helping Australian companies with significant $US earnings. We are bullish the $A, targeting the 80c region.

Australian Dollar ($A) long-term monthly chart

Our view is primarily driven by a bearish outlook for the $US which we believe has reached a major point of inflection after a decade-long rally since the GFC. 

As we approach the November 2020 election in the US, the President will likely pull all stops for re-election and applying pressure on the currency in various ways  would be very supportive of economic growth. 

While the Federal Reserve cut rates in October, Chairman Powell made it very clear that any rate hikes will be conditional upon a marked and sustained uptick in inflation while they will cut again if economic conditions warrant it.

If a trade resolution is successfully negotiated between China and the US which improves global confidence and ultimately global growth at a time when the US is more dovish, then the US currency could well decline sharply. 

The $US Index Chart

Historically, it's extremely rare to see Australian 10-year bond yields below their American counterparts but that’s very much the case today, a huge contributing factor to the prolonged bear market for the $A. 

If we are correct and Australian bond yields again converge and eventually go above their US equivalent, as has been the norm for the past 50-years, it’s easy to envisage the $A back up around 80c.

The chart below illustrates over the last few years the clear inverse correlation between the $US and Base Metals, if our opinion is correct on the $US then we believe there’s a strong likelihood that resource stocks will outperform in 2020. We are  bullish base metals and resources  moving into 2020.

The $US Index & Bloomberg Base Metals Index Chart

Summary

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