Global FX Macro Outlook: The buck doesn’t stop here
Nov 27, 2024
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Join Arindam Sandilya and James Nelligan, both Global FX Strategists at J.P. Morgan, as they delve into the future of the foreign exchange markets. They discuss the U.S. dollar's potential impact from trade issues and elections, while examining the Chinese Yuan's influence on Asia's economy. The forecast for 2025 highlights expected dollar strength and FX volatility. Arindam preps listeners on the complexities facing the Australian and New Zealand dollars, while James unpacks the resilience of Swiss and Scandinavian currencies amid shifting monetary policies.
The U.S. dollar is anticipated to rise significantly due to upcoming elections and trade policies, affecting other currencies variably.
China's Yuan may depreciate substantially due to trade conflicts and tariffs, potentially impacting neighboring Asian currencies differently based on their economic conditions.
Deep dives
Outlook for the U.S. Dollar in 2025
There is a strong outlook for the U.S. dollar, driven primarily by the anticipated effects of U.S. elections and trade policies. The potential implementation of tariffs and renewed trade conflicts could propel the dollar to new highs, particularly as these issues remain unpriced in the FX market. The impacts of these developments are expected to vary based on the economic composition of other currencies, especially those reliant on manufacturing. Countries more focused on manufacturing may face greater vulnerabilities in response to trade conflicts, impacting their currency's stability compared to those with service-oriented economies.
Implications of Trade Conflicts for Asian Currencies
The anticipated trade conflicts are likely to lead to significant currency depreciation in China, with estimates suggesting the Chinese Yuan (CNY) may reach as low as 740 by mid-2025. Although authorities may manage the depreciation to prevent financial instability, the potential impact of tariffs could lead to a record balance of payments deficit for China since 2016. Other Asian currencies may also weaken as the CNY depreciates, yet they could respond differently based on their unique economic contexts and policy measures. Countries with more flexibility to adjust monetary policies may allow their currencies to depreciate more than those constrained by financial conditions.
Forecasts for Australian and New Zealand Dollars
Both the Australian dollar (AUD) and New Zealand dollar (NZD) face bearish outlooks largely due to dependence on China's economy and global tariff risks. The AUD is expected to slide to around 62 cents as tariff announcements peak early in 2025; however, a rebound may occur later in the year as domestic fiscal policy provides a safety net. In parallel, the NZD may experience more resilience but is forecasted to remain under pressure due to low growth factors, with limited fiscal space and sustaining a low terminal interest rate. While both currencies face challenges, there is some expectation for a recovery in the second half of the year as global economic conditions evolve.
Japanese Yen: A Modest Bullish Perspective
The Japanese yen is expected to perform modestly better due to anticipated interest rate hikes by the Bank of Japan (BOJ) in contrast to rate cuts anticipated from other major central banks. These monetary policy divergences could reduce selling pressure on the yen, allowing it to appreciate against non-dollar currencies. Continuing NISA related outflows and recent fiscal budget improvements might further support the yen, despite its challenges in the context of global trade wars. Should inflation remain steady above target, the BOJ will be constrained in its ability to adjust monetary policy, thus focusing attention on domestic inflation as a driving factor for the yen's trajectory.
The Global FX strategy team provides a round-up of the year-ahead outlook.
Speakers
Meera Chandan, Global FX Strategy
Arindam Sandilya, Global FX Strategy
Ben Jarman, Global FX Strategy
Junya Tanase, Global FX Strategy
Antonin Delair, Global FX Strategy
James Nelligan, Global FX Strategy
Patrick Locke, Global FX Strategy