Part 9/16:
Carrie Craig, JP Morgan’s Asia-Pacific market strategist, pointed out that recent trade frameworks and negotiations have somewhat alleviated market fears, especially benefiting the automotive and resource sectors. While Australian markets have been buoyed by robust performance and record-high share prices, Craig stressed that global trade tensions could still temper growth.
She noted a softer U.S. dollar—a consequence, perhaps, of broader global growth stabilization and concerns about the U.S. fiscal position. The dollar's decline to 66 US cents has potential implications for currency competitiveness and inflation, with an anticipated appreciation of the Australian dollar to nearly 69 cents this year.