Skip to content

CFDs are complex financial instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. CFDs are complex financial instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

What a higher Australian dollar could mean for the ASX 200 in 2021

As global equity markets remain in a state of flux, we look at the impact a higher AUD/USD may have on the ASX 200 index.

What a higher Australian dollar could mean for the ASX 200 in 2021 Source: Bloomberg

Growth remains a key driver for currency performance

Is the outlook for the Australian Dollar (AUD/USD) increasingly becoming more bullish?

The Aussie was rolled during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, plunging to around the 55c handle in March. Uncertainty ruled the day, equity markets were in turmoil and no one knew exactly what was coming next.

Since then, lax monetary policies have helped boost US equities, put downward pressure on the USD, the prospects of an effective COVID-19 vaccine has also boosted market confidence, while the Australian dollar has recovered strongly since the lows recorded in March. Since January, the AUD/USD has risen from around 70c to 73c.

Macquarie Wealth Management analysts were one of the first investment banks to eye a higher Australian dollar, arguing that the rising global commodities prices could push the AUD/USD to the 75c level. In a more bullish scenario, 'where the CRBRI rises 20% off the low (which is a modest upcycle), the implied AUD/USD is $0.80,’ the investment bank argued.

Commodity prices have indeed continued to trend higher in recent times – thermal coal prices have recovered since their September lows, iron ore remains elevated, and crude last traded close to US$50 a barrel.

With their view of the Aussie tied to a commodities super cycle, Macquarie further argued that domestically-focused names, such as Telstra, Sydney Airport and Crown Resorts would also benefit, assigning Outperform ratings to all three. 2020 has been a difficult year for each of those companies.

On the other hand, companies such as CSL, Computershare and Treasury Wine Estates attracted Neutral ratings from the investment bank – owing to their off-shore operations and the potential impact it might have on earnings.

Another perspective

Morgan Stanley, in a recent note to investors, also forwarded a bull-case for the Aussie, though it focuses more on the broad recovery of the global economy.

As Morgan Stanley notes, a ‘combination of strong growth, ample global liquidity, and a solid fundamental outlook for risk assets suggests that risk-correlated currencies should continue to see tailwinds.’

The investment bank predicts the AUD/USD to hit 77c across 2021.

From the bearish side, while the RBA’s recently announced $100 billion quantitative easing program is likely to be put short-term pressure on the Aussie, Morgan Stanley analysts believe that with a strong economic recovery still expected in the coming year and other ‘positive global factors’, there is likely more upside for the AUD in 2021.

There is however, limitations to this forecasted upside, with it being argued that, the 80c AUD/USD handle would likely be discouraged by the RBA, as such levels are likely be sufficient to impede economic growth.

Want to take a position in equities or currencies, long or short?

Create an IG trading account or log in to your existing account to get started now.

ASX 200 outlook: What a higher AUD/USD means for equities

Though the Australian dollar has performed strongly in 2020, local equities markets have fared significantly worse, with the ASX 200 benchmark trading around 1.2% lower since January, last sitting at the 6,598 point level.

This compares unfavourably to a number of key US equity benchmarks – the S&P 500 has rallied firmly YTD, up 11.4% in that period; while the tech heavy Nasdaq 100 has surged an enviable 36%.

Despite that weakness when compared against US benchmarks, analysts from Morgan Stanley believe a higher Australian dollar bodes well for local equities, arguing that:

‘Higher equities tends to occur alongside a stronger AUD despite earnings headwinds - something we envisage occurring next year with the extent of the global growth rebound more important.’

Moreover, like Macquarie, Morgan Stanley believes that a higher AUD/USD positions the resource sector for outperformance, saying ‘we see resources as the biggest beneficiary while low-growth offshore earners may face headwinds.’

This comes after ASX-listed resource large-caps have faced a mixed year in 2020: BHP’s stock is down since January, Rio Tinto is just slightly in the green, while Fortescue Metals Group has surged 72% YTD, lifted by buoyant iron ore prices.

FMG traded at $18.56 at the time of writing.

Will the FMG share price continue to rise?

Are you bullish or bearish on resource stocks heading forward? Whatever your view, you can use CFDs to trade both rising and falling markets, through IG’s world-class trading platform now.

For example, to buy (long) or sell (short) FMG using CFDs, follow these easy steps:

  • Create an IG Trading Account or log in to your existing account
  • Enter ‘FMG’ in the search bar and select it
  • Choose your position size
  • Click on ‘buy’ or ‘sell’ in the deal ticket
  • Confirm the trade

This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients.
CFDs are a leveraged products. CFD trading may not be suitable for everyone and can result in losses that exceed your initial deposit, so please ensure that you fully understand the risks involved.

Act on stock opportunities today

Go long or short on thousands of international stocks with CFDs.

  • Get full exposure for a comparatively small deposit
  • Trade on spreads from just 0.1%
  • Get greater order book visibility with direct market access
Learn more

See opportunity on a stock?

Try a risk-free trade in your demo account, and see whether you’re on to something.

  • Log in to your demo
  • Try a risk-free trade
  • See whether your hunch pays off
Log in now

See opportunity on a stock?

Don’t miss your chance – upgrade to a live account to take advantage.

  • Trade a huge range of popular stocks
  • Analyse and deal seamlessly on fast, intuitive charts
  • See and react to breaking news in-platform
Log in now

See opportunity on a stock?

Don’t miss your chance. Log in to take advantage while conditions prevail.

Take advantage

Live prices on most popular markets

  • Forex
  • Shares
  • Indices

Prices above are subject to our website terms and agreements. Prices are indicative only. All shares prices are delayed by at least 15 mins.

Plan your trading week

Get the week’s market-moving news sent directly to your inbox every Friday. The Week Ahead gives you a full calendar of upcoming economic events, as well as commentary from our expert analysts on the key markets to watch.

For more info on how we might use your data, see our privacy notice and access policy and privacy webpage.

You might be interested in…

<h3>How much does trading cost?</h3>
<h3>Find out about IG</h3>
<h3>Plan your trading</h3>

Find out what charges your trades could incur with our transparent fee structure.

Discover why so many clients choose us, and what makes us a world-leading provider of CFDs.

Stay on top of upcoming market-moving events with our customisable economic calendar.