Fundamental Outlook for US Dollar: Bullish

- Dollar’s strength called into question as fundamentals deteriorate and G20 offering little tangible assistance
- FOMC Minutes say financial markets are “fragile and unsettled” as economy at risk of “feedback” look
- April Technical and fundamental forecasts for the majors still leaning in the dollar’s favor

How often has the term ‘depression’ been used to describe the conditions in the US and global economies? What are the symptoms of this infrequently experienced economic storm? These are the questions that will shape the dollar’s future not just a week ahead but for months to come. Considering the broad rebound in market sentiment over the past month, the US dollar has struggled to find its place in the currency market. There is still a hold over for the greenback’s function as a safe haven. However, as demand for yield rises, investors may more closely focus on the fundamental health of the US economy and the potential for returns on the nation’s assets – and neither is promising.

In recent months, the best way to benchmark the strength of the dollar has been through its association to risk trends. Though liquidity has not been a serious issue for the capital markets since October, the terrible pace of growth behind the global economy and the mere presence of toxic derivatives in the market’s system has bolstered the greenback’s presence. This is not likely to change anytime soon. Despite the rise in risk appetite recently, investors are keenly aware to the state of economic activity and the vulnerability of the financial markets. A rebound in consumption, production and capital investment are essential elements for positive returns. However, each of these components are still contracting on a global level. At the same time, the level of risk behind the scenes continues to grow. This past week, the FOMC minutes referred to credit conditions as “very tight” and suggested financial markets were “fragile and unsettled” as pressure was intensifying. Banks are refusing to open credit lines as they attempt to bolster reserves as defaults rise, earnings drop and growth naturally leads demand to dry up. This means the potential for another crisis and panic exodus of capital from the market is a constant threat. One of the most menacing triggers for such a dramatic shift in sentiment is the ‘stress test’ the US federal government has performed on the country’s 19 largest banks. Rumors have circulated that the Treasury has instructed target banks not to disclose any results from their evaluation as officials want to wait until after earnings season (to avoid what could be another ‘perfect storm’ should the assessment be bad). However, as more earnings data crosses the wires, speculation on the results will no doubt grow.

As long as the market’s fear the possibility of another crisis, the dollar will be coveted for its deeply liquid markets and the aggressive actions of the US government. However, should markets maintain their calm and risk appetite slowly recover, investors will once again be put to task in grading which economy will recover first while supporting the most lucrative yields (within reason of some level of safety). As this is a market dynamic that is slowly developing now, we have to put the US on that scale; and the results are not promising. In the Fed’s minutes, the policy authority mentioned its concern of “feedback effects.” This refers to a situation where financial strains feed the economic troubles and vice versa such that the cycle maintains itself. Bailouts, liquidity injections and efforts to remove toxic debt from the system has tried to correct a vital component of this bleak spiral; but it has clearly not corrected the larger issue. So, in the meantime, concentration will fall back on economic activity with a round of notable indicators. From the list, the market will look to benchmark the health of the housing market, production and consumer spending. The University of Michigan confidence survey and retail sales report will gauge consumer health. Industrial production and regional manufacturing reports will measure business activity. While housing starts and building permits offer a better gauge of construction than sales of existing homes or the creation of mortgages.

John Kicklighter a Currency Strategist at FXCM.