Key points:
- The rising tide in favour of the $A has well and truly reversed with further downside likely in the years ahead, particularly against the $US and Euro.
- The commodity price boom has faded in response to a moderation in Chinese growth as commodity supply increases, the US is slowing its quantitative easing program and rate cuts have reduced the attractiveness of the $A all at a time that it remains above levels that offset relatively high costs and prices in Australia. Expect it to fall to around $US0.80 in the next few years.
- For Australian investors, this means less need to hedge global exposures back to Australian dollars.