For the Australian dollar, a more bullish scenario than our baseline outlook would stem from China’s economic revival exceeding expectations – particularly if it is led by a policy-induced upswing in commodity-intensive infrastructure spending. Stronger momentum in China would be a positive impulse for Australia’s terms of trade, the domestic and regional economies, and the currency. In our opinion, the Australian dollar could also outperform if the global economy remains resilient in the face of tighter monetary and credit conditions, and inflation decelerates substantially without aggressive policy actions inflicting much damage on labour markets or generating financial stability risks. However, we judge this type of situation to be relatively unlikely.
Latest Analysis
Let's make a deal
21 January, 2026
• Improved tone. Reports of a Greenland deal ‘framework’ boosts sentiment. US equities rose. USD index a bit firmer. AUD outperforms. NZD edges higher.• Data flow. The volatile Australian jobs...
Markets rally as Trump backs down on Greenland
21 January, 2026
Markets are celebrating TACO Tuesday on a Wednesday after US President Donald Trump dropped a threat to impose tariffs on imports from a number of European trading partners, saying that he and NATO Secretary-General...
Selloff loses steam, traders remain on tenterhooks
21 January, 2026
After several days of turbulence, selling pressure is easing across financial markets, suggesting that investors expect US president Donald Trump to adopt a less confrontational approach when meeting in...
'Sell America' trade intensifies
20 January, 2026
Equity futures, Treasuries, and the dollar are down for a second day as investors shun US assets in the aftermath of the weekend’s Greenland-related tariff threats from Donald Trump, and selling in Japanese...
Structural USD pressures
19 January, 2026
• Geopolitical vol. Weekend US tariff announcements initially rattled markets. But the USD lost ground as yesterday rolled on. AUD & NZD higher.• US pressure points. US reliant on foreigners to fund...
Dollar tumbles as Trump renews tariff threats
19 January, 2026
Good morning. The dollar is back on the defensive as investors digest weekend comments from President Donald Trump, who threatened tariffs on European countries that do not support his push to acquire...
Swings & roundabouts
15 January, 2026
• Positive tone. Sentiment improved overnight. US equities rebounded. Bond yields rose. Oil fell. AUD ticked up thanks to some relative outperformance.• Data flow. Limited releases today. Next week things...
Currency ranges tighten as complacency sets in
15 January, 2026
Good morning. Currency markets have slipped back into extremely tight ranges as geopolitical fears recede and incoming data point to “Goldilocks” conditions across much of the advanced world. Realised...
Fundamental drivers reassert themselves in currency markets
14 January, 2026
Good morning. After a series of early-week distractions, currency market drivers are shifting back toward economic fundamentals today, with mixed US data keeping yields within tight ranges and the Japanese...
Tame inflation weighs on the dollar
13 January, 2026
Consumer price growth accelerated by slightly less than expected in the United States last month, helping lower short-term yields and putting downward pressure on the dollar. According to data published...