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- Imminent tax cuts
- Twin surpluses
- Real effective exchange rate (REER) of the Australian dollar
- Macroprudential policies
The recently reelected government is expected to pursue a pro-growth agenda; therefore, we expect different sources of stimulus to support the Australian economy. For example, tax cuts could be announced as early as this month. These tax cuts wouldn't be possible—or at least prudent—without the country's twin surpluses, a facet of the economy that inarguably makes Australia attractive from an investment perspective. The country currently runs a budget surplus, and as shown in Chart 1 below; the budget as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) should move into positive territory in 2020.
Australia also runs a current account surplus, which we think the country will be able to comfortably maintain for two reasons. Firstly, capital expenditures (capex) have increased across all sectors, pushing investment to levels seen in the 1990s, as shown in Chart 2. We are encouraged that companies are committing to capital-intensive projects and believe activity may have found a bottom in 2018.
Secondly, the recovery in capex could partly be explained by Australia's commodity-centric exports, which have received continual support from Chinese demand for iron ore and coal. The demand for these two Australian commodities could remain relatively insulated from other potential headwinds because of the Chinese government's strategic focus on environmental policies. Australian iron ore and coal are cleaner substitutes when compared to the resources that can be mined locally; Chinese authorities should continue to import them from Australia as long as the government remains focused on anti-pollution initiatives. This baked in demand could prop up Australian exports (see Chart 3 below), as well as the dollar.
The Aussie dollar is undervalued on a REER basis as shown in Chart 4 below — making it one of the most undervalued currencies in our universe based upon this metric.
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) seems to agree and has projected that the currency could comfortably appreciate to around $0.75 from its current level without hindering growth. Chart 5 illustrates the central bank's projection on the currency:
The RBA also recently cut rates, which implies that Australia doesn't have an inflation problem right now — another constructive sign for investors. Perhaps inflation remained benign as Australia's previously overheated housing market began to cool off. A few years ago, the government required borrowers to undergo stress tests in the event of a rising rate environment. The policy was meant to rein in real estate prices, which have seems to have worked since home prices have been weak for the last 18 months. Now, the government is expected to relax these stringent requirements to reinvigorate the housing market.
We think these collective structural forces could create tailwinds for the Australian economy. The country's twin surpluses afford the luxury to pursue ambitious stimulus efforts as a way to revive the economy without sacrificing the currency or a benign inflation backdrop. However, risks certainly remain as the U.S. and China continue to hash out their trade dispute while the Chinese government continues to implement its own stimulus.
Groupthink is bad, especially at investment management firms. Brandywine Global therefore takes special care to ensure our corporate culture and investment processes support the articulation of diverse viewpoints. This blog is no different. The opinions expressed by our bloggers may sometimes challenge active positioning within one or more of our strategies. Each blogger represents one market view amongst many expressed at Brandywine Global. Although individual opinions will differ, our investment process and macro outlook will remain driven by a team approach.
