Hello Stock Traders,
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The Dow Jones Industrial Average, that mighty bastion of American capitalism, appears poised for a potential skyward launch, reaching dizzying heights of 50,000, according to some bold predictions. Fueling this optimistic forecast? Not a surge in tech innovation or booming IPOs, but a curious, and perhaps counterintuitive, factor: a weaker US dollar.
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This intriguing proposition comes from technical analyst JC Parets, founder of All Star Charts. In a recent podcast, Parets declared, with an almost messianic zeal, “It’s the only thing that actually matters.” He contends that a downward slide in the greenback is the missing piece to unlocking further astronomical gains for equities.
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Why such confidence? Parets paints a picture of a symbiotic relationship between currency and stocks. A falling dollar acts like a potent performance enhancer for S&P 500 companies, boosting their bottom line through a magical trick called currency translation. Think of it as foreign profits getting a welcome massage, their value inflating like a soufflé in a hot oven.
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Bank of America strategist Savita Subramanian chimes in, quantifying this magic: “Every 10% drop in the dollar translates into a 3% profit bump for S&P 500 earnings.” And with economists at the bank predicting a 3% depreciation for the dollar in 2024, the stage is seemingly set for corporate profits to dance a celebratory jig, with stocks joining in the merriment.
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But Parets doesn’t rely solely on economic handstands. He’s a chart whisperer, interpreting the cryptic language of technical indicators. His radar is currently locked on the US dollar index, that enigmatic gauge of the dollar’s muscle against its currency rivals.
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After its recent dip to near-18-month lows in December, Parets sees a clear trajectory: a breakdown to the 2020 lows of around 90, paving the way for a stock market fiesta. Just look at history, he urges, pointing to previous instances where dollar downturns coincided with stock market upticks. “This chart,” he proclaims, brandishing it like a sacred scroll, “is the only thing that actually matters.”
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Now, let’s not mistake this for unadulterated euphoria. Skeptics abound, and rightfully so. The market, as every seasoned investor knows, is a fickle beast, prone to unpredictable gallops and sudden nosedives.
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Fairlead Strategies’ founder Katie Stockton, another technical chart guru, acknowledges the dollar’s recent upward blip but remains bearish in the long run. She predicts a support range for the dollar between 99 and 100.8, and a decisive break below that could set the stage for Parets’ bullish prophecy to unfurl.
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So, where does this leave us? Should we clear our schedules, dust off our celebratory confetti cannons, and book roundtrip tickets to Dow Jones Valhalla? Not quite. While the prospect of a 50,000 Dow is undeniably alluring, a healthy dose of cautious optimism is prudent.
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The market, after all, is a labyrinth, and sometimes even the most seasoned cartographers get lost. But, one thing’s for sure: the US dollar’s next move could be the key to unlocking a treasure trove of gains, or sending the market on a rollercoaster ride with an uncertain ending. So, buckle up, metaphorically speaking, and keep your eyes peeled on that currency chart. It might just tell the story of the next chapter in Wall Street’s never-ending saga.
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Remember, this is just one perspective on a complex issue. Always conduct your own research and consult with financial professionals before making any investment decisions.
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–James
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Up next: As billionaires like Bezos and Musk saw their wealth balloon by record amounts during the pandemic, the stark reality of a widening wealth gap and its corrosive impact on our societies demands an urgent call for action.Â
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