### Summary
The Australian dollar has weakened significantly against the US dollar, euro, and British pound due to factors such as the US economy's strength, China's weak economic rebound, and a shift in the link between commodity prices and the Australian dollar.
### Facts
- The Australian dollar has reached its lowest level against the US dollar since the global financial crisis in 2009.
- The dollar has also reached its lowest level against the euro since the global financial crisis.
- The value of the Australian dollar against the pound is at its weakest since the Brexit poll.
- The US dollar's strength and expectations of a higher interest rate have contributed to the Australian dollar's weakness.
- China's weak economic rebound and deflation concerns have also affected the Australian dollar.
- The link between commodity prices and the Australian dollar has become less reliable recently.
- The trajectory of Shanghai's top 300 companies share index may indicate the future of the Australian dollar.
- A weaker Australian dollar benefits export industries and overseas visitors, while importers may face challenges.
- A tumbling dollar could support economic growth through increased exports and reduced imports.
📉 The Australian dollar is at its lowest against major currencies since the global financial crisis.
🇺🇸 The US dollar's strength and expectations of a higher interest rate contribute to the Australian dollar's weakness.
🇨🇳 China's weak economic rebound and deflation concerns affect the Australian dollar.
📉 The link between commodity prices and the Australian dollar has become less reliable.
📈 A weaker Australian dollar benefits export industries and overseas visitors.
### Summary
The global economy is showing signs of decoupling, with the US economy remaining strong and China's economy disappointing at the margin. The recent data suggests that the US economy is resilient, with consumption and other indicators pointing in a positive direction. However, there are concerns about the bear steepening of the US curve and the repricing of the long end of the curve. In contrast, China's economy continues to struggle, with weak data and monetary policy easing. Japan has surprised with positive data, but there are questions about whether the current inflation shift will lead to tighter monetary policy. Overall, there are concerns about a potential global economic recession and its impact on various economies.
### Facts
- 💰 Despite the decoupling of the US and China economies, concerns remain about the negative impact of a China slowdown on global growth.
- 💹 Recent data show that the US economy, particularly consumption, remains resilient.
- 🔒 The bear steepening of the US curve and the repricing of the long end of the curve are causing concerns.
- 🇨🇳 In China, weak data on consumption and investment and declining house prices continue to affect the economy. The PBoC has eased monetary policy.
- 🇯🇵 Japan's 2Q data surprised with strong export growth, but there are concerns about the impact of a potential inflation shift on global yields.
- 🌍 The global economy is at risk of recession, with concerns about the impact on emerging market economies and the US economy.
### Summary
Global dedollarization efforts are facing a credibility challenge as currencies such as the Russian ruble, Chinese yuan, and Argentine peso suffer significant declines, highlighting the perceived stability and reliability of the US dollar.
### Facts
- 📉 The Chinese yuan, Russian ruble, and Argentine peso have all experienced significant declines in value recently, causing their respective central banks to take measures to stabilize their currencies.
- 🌍 These declines come at a time when countries like Russia and China are actively trying to reduce their reliance on the US dollar in trade and investments, a trend known as dedollarization.
- 💰 However, the recent exchange-rate turmoil and instability of these currencies against the US dollar could undermine the dedollarization efforts and raise questions about the feasibility of finding a common currency to combat the dominance of the dollar.
- 💱 Dedollarization efforts in Argentina have been limited, with some even advocating for adopting the US dollar as the local currency to combat hyperinflation.
- 🌎 While the share of the US dollar in global reserves has decreased over the years, it still makes up nearly 60% of the world's foreign-exchange holdings, highlighting its long-standing dominance as the world's reserve currency.
Note: The text provided is truncated, so the summary and bullet points may not capture the complete context of the original text.
### Summary
NatWest expects further downside for the Australian dollar (AUD) due to weak Chinese economic activity, lack of significant policy response, and potential rate hikes by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA).
### Facts
- 💪 Higher long-end rates, relative US growth outperformance, sticky front-end Fed pricing, and August seasonals are all factors supporting the US dollar (USD).
- 💼 Incremental stimulus from Chinese authorities may not be enough to halt the fall of AUD, especially with a slowing global growth and lack of FX reaction to China's monetary policy easing.
- 📉 The NWM China Stress Index indicates a further slowing of economic conditions in China.
- 🏗️ Demand for construction-related activities outside of China may fade in the coming months due to higher borrowing costs and reduced steel demand outlook for the US and Europe.
- 📉 Australian employment declined in July, but it's too early to assess the strength of the labor market based on one month of weak data.
- 💰 The increase in prices raises questions about whether CPI inflation in Australia will fall back to the target range.
- 💼 The RBA has retained the optionality for further rate hikes, but weakness in data complicates future rate hikes.
- 🌍 Overall weakness in the Chinese economy will continue to weigh on AUD, but major policy response/stimulus from Chinese authorities could pose a risk to the bearish view on AUD.
- 💼 One more rate hike by the RBA may not be enough to support AUD considering the weakness in China.
The U.S. economy is forecasted to be growing rapidly, which is causing concern for the Federal Reserve and those hoping for low interest rates.
The Bank of Canada may shift its focus from the output gap to labor market indicators, such as unemployment and wages, in order to make inflation forecasts and guide its interest rate decisions, according to a report by CIBC economists. The report suggests that the labor market has become a more reliable indicator of excess demand or supply, and forecasts that if the job market outlook suggests it's not necessary, there may be no more rate hikes this year and rate cuts in early 2024.
Canada's biggest bank is warning investors of an economic slowdown as preliminary estimates show a sharp deceleration in GDP growth and weakening consumption and investment, raising the question of whether this slowdown will prevent further rate hikes.
China's slowing economy may help Canada fight inflation, according to Jimmy Jean, chief economist at Desjardins Group.
Canada's second-quarter GDP report is expected to show a significant slowdown in economic growth, potentially leading to a pause in interest rate hikes by the Bank of Canada despite recent high inflation data.
The US Dollar performed well against major currencies, with the British Pound, Euro, and Canadian Dollar underperforming, while the Chinese Yuan and Australian Dollar fared better; the Federal Reserve's indication of a higher terminal rate and potential further borrowing cost increases contributed to the market sentiment, leading to lower US equity markets; upcoming economic data includes consumer confidence, inflation gauges from key European countries, and manufacturing PMI gauges from China.
Canada's upcoming gross domestic product (GDP) reading is expected to be closely watched by the Bank of Canada (BoC) ahead of its September interest rate decision, with economists predicting a slowdown in the second quarter that could lead to a pause in interest rate hikes despite higher-than-expected inflation. The impact of recent wildfires and a dock workers strike is also expected to affect the data.
The US dollar experienced a major technical reversal due to a weaker JOLTs report, leading to a drop in US interest rates, while market positioning played a role in the price action; the focus now shifts to personal consumption figures and US jobs data, with the euro and sterling firm but most other G10 currencies softer, and emerging market currencies mixed. In Asia, most large bourses advanced, but Europe's Stoxx 600 fell after rallying in previous sessions, while US index futures traded softer; European bonds are selling up, gold is consolidating, and oil prices are firm. Australia's CPI slowed more than expected, China is expected to release the August PMI, and Japan reports July retail sales. The US dollar has seen no follow-through selling against the yen, yuan, or Australian dollar, while the euro and sterling staged impressive price action. The JOLTS report saw the dollar and US rates reverse lower, and today the US reports advanced merchandise trade figures for July, with the Canadian dollar as the worst performing G10 currency yesterday.
The Canadian dollar strengthens slightly against the US dollar in August despite concerns about China's economy and a decline in commodity-linked currencies.
The dollar is not likely to lose its status as the global reserve currency despite the expansion of the BRICS group of nations and their aim to find an alternative, as technology and not commodity-based currencies are expected to be the driving force in the future.
Canada's economy unexpectedly contracted in the second quarter, raising concerns of a possible recession, as declines in housing investment and slower exports and household spending impacted growth. This is likely to lead the central bank to hold interest rates steady.
The Canadian dollar weakened against the US dollar after data revealed that the country's economy unexpectedly contracted in the second quarter, reducing the likelihood of an interest rate hike from the Bank of Canada.
The U.S. dollar declined due to weaknesses in economic growth, leading to a boost in the performance of gold and U.S. equities, while other global assets experienced mixed price movements throughout the week.
The dollar strengthens against the yen and keeps the euro and sterling near three-month lows as investors rely on the resilience of the U.S. economy, while China's onshore yuan hits a 16-year low due to a property slump and weak consumer spending.
The Canadian dollar strengthened against the US dollar as stronger-than-expected jobs data raised the possibility of another interest rate hike by the Bank of Canada.
The US dollar's strength in the foreign exchange market, along with discussions of de-dollarization, highlights the divergence between the US and other major economies. The Dollar Index is on an eight-week rally, reaching a record high in international payments, while the euro's share has declined to a record low. In the week ahead, the US CPI and the ECB meeting are expected to be major events, with the US showing signs of inflation and weaker demand, and the euro facing challenges amid stagnation and inflation. China's CPI and PPI have shown some improvement, but the focus will be on yuan loans and real sector data. The eurozone's focus will be on the possibility of a rate hike by the ECB and the release of July industrial production figures. Japan's household consumption continues to fall, and the country may experience a contraction in Q3. The UK will release employment data and GDP details, while Canada will see data on existing home sales and the CPI. Australia will release its August employment data, and Mexico's peso positions may continue to adjust due to the winding down of the currency forward hedging facility.
The US Dollar performed strongly against major currencies, with the Euro experiencing its 8th consecutive weekly loss and the Chinese Yuan performing poorly, while global market sentiment was negative and stock markets weakened. In the coming week, market focus will be on the US inflation report, UK employment and GDP data, Australian employment data, and the ECB rate decision.
Several international financial institutions have lowered their growth forecasts for China's economy below the government's target due to weak exports and a property crisis, posing a challenge despite Beijing's optimistic rhetoric.
China is unlikely to devalue its currency, the yuan, despite concerns that it could do so to boost exports, as such a move would risk intensifying capital flight and tightening financial conditions, according to the Institute of International Finance. Instead, the focus will be on domestic easing measures to maintain steady growth, although there is the challenge of balancing the yuan's stability against the strengthening US dollar and other major currencies.
The Canadian government is taking measures to address affordability challenges, including a cut in Goods and Services Tax, plans to boost the Competition Bureau's power, and an effort to lower food prices; however, economists believe these measures are unlikely to have an immediate impact on inflation or interest rates.
Canada's inflation rate rose to 4.0% in August, driven by higher gasoline prices, while the Trans Mountain oil pipeline expansion is expected to disrupt oil flow to the US, potentially increasing prices, according to Statistics Canada. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen believes the US economy can withstand near-term risks such as strikes, government shutdowns, student loan payments, and spillovers from China's economic woes, stating evidence of a healthy labor market and consumer spending. Rent is rising faster in Brampton than in any other Canadian city, leading to financial difficulties for renters.
The OECD forecasts that a stronger U.S. economy will help offset the global slowdown this year, but a weakening Chinese economy will have a bigger impact next year.
The BRICS bloc, including countries like India, China, and Russia, is slowly reducing its dependency on the US dollar and using their local currencies for trade, which could potentially weaken the US dollar's position as the dominant global currency.
The Canadian dollar edged lower against the US dollar but still maintained a weekly gain due to higher oil prices and the possibility of more interest rate hikes by the Bank of Canada.
The Canadian economy has entered a long-delayed recession due to highly indebted households, overvalued home prices, and a slowdown in consumer spending, with the recession expected to last until the first quarter of 2024 and result in a 1.5% decline in GDP and an increase in the unemployment rate to 7.2%.
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Summary: The U.S. stock market had a bad quarter, with all indexes falling, while the World Bank lowered its growth forecast for developing economies in East Asia and the Pacific, and China's demand for commodities continues to grow despite the downgrade. Additionally, a last-minute spending bill was passed to avoid a government shutdown, and this week's focus will be on the labor market.
The World Bank has lowered its growth forecast for China's economy in 2024 to 4.4% due to the ongoing property crisis, which is expected to have a negative impact on regional countries as well.
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