2019 is not expected to be a kind year for the Australian Dollar. The currency is at risk to entering the new trading year under unexpected negative momentumamid investor fears over a synchronized global economic slowdown in 2019.
What needs to be considered for Australia heading into 2019 is that the expected economic downturn will also be evident throughout Asia and a number of different emerging markets within geographic proximity. This will be a different circumstance for the region as a whole to contend with when you factor in that these economies actually emerged stronger on the back of the world financial crisis a decade ago. This time the Asian region will be one of the first to report weaker growth.
Investors should also not forget that the Australian Dollar stands as one of the most historically overvalued currencies in the developed markets. The negative implications of prolonged trade tensions between the United States and China are going to impact Australia more than the market has as ofyet priced in. China still remains as Australia’s largest trading partner, and it was the economic boom in China that had a positive knock-on effect for Australia.
I also feel that what will surprise market participants over the upcoming quarter is how sensitive the Australian currency can be during periods of market uncertainty. The Aussie relies on strong levels of risk appetite.With the previous mindset of investors “buying the dips” during stock market sell-offs aging as a trend, “selling the rallies” is going to limit buying interest in the Australian Dollar.
For investors who want to remain loyalto the Aussie Dollar in Q1,they needmarket euphoria from an actual resolution to the trade tensions between the United States and China. This is something completely out of the hands of Australia and I wouldn’t hold my breath that a resolution will be agreed anytime soon either, when considering that this is something financial markets have been hoping for since the second half of 2018.
Taking a look at the technical picture, the AUDUSD monthly close narrowly above 0.70 in December 2018 suggests that the market will be encouraged to sell the Aussie early 2019.
A solid monthly and weekly close below the psychological 0.70 level holds the potential to attract investors swarming to attacked the AUDUSD lower.
0.70 will be viewed as a critical level for the AUDUSD and if this level becomes stubborn support, the alternative view is that the pair can rebound towards 0.7150 and even 0.7310 if risk appetite returns.
