米ドル指数(DXY)で追跡される米ドルは、新年を緩やかながらも不安定な上昇でスタートし、5月に106.50付近で一時的な抵抗に遭遇しました。しかし、その後勢いを失い、9月下旬までに心理的節目の100.00に向けて大幅に下落しました。
では、当時、米ドル(USD)が急落するのを止めたのは何だったのでしょうか?何が変わったのでしょうか?その答えは「何が」ではなく「誰が」です。
いわゆる「トランプトレード」の登場だ。このトレードは、元ホテル王トランプ氏が11月5日の選挙で民主党候補のカマラ・ハリス氏を破り、大統領執務室を奪還して第47代米国大統領になる可能性が十分にあるとの投資家の期待の高まりとともに勢いを増した。
そしてそれは始まった。
「グリーンスイープ」
10月、米ドルは大幅な上昇に転じたが、11月初旬の米国選挙の前後で一時停滞した。選挙結果と「共和党勝利」の可能性の高まりを受けて、 米ドル指数 (DXY)は上昇トレンドを再開し、2022年11月以来初めて108.00の壁を超えた。
この指数の上昇は主要な10年国債利回りにも反映され、11月中旬までに数か月ぶりの高値となる4.50%台に急上昇した後、調整的な引き戻しを引き起こした。
米国経済は「非常に好調」
しかし、注目されているのはドナルド・トランプだけではない。2024年の米ドルの顕著な強さは、特に世界の他の国々と比較した場合の米国経済の回復力によっても支えられている。
米国の労働市場はここ数カ月、冷え込みの兆候を見せているものの、この重要な部門の主要指標は依然として堅調である。実際、労働市場状況の緩和は持続可能でもなければ、特に説得力があるわけでもないようだ。これは、労働市場の大幅な悪化は歓迎されないとする連邦準備制度理事会(FRB)のジェローム・パウエル議長の姿勢と一致している。
インフレに関しては、消費者物価の上昇圧力は依然として高く、FRBの目標である2.0%を上回っています。FRBの政策担当者の多くは追加利下げへの支持を表明していますが、消費者物価指数(CPI)と個人消費支出(PCE)物価指数の頑固さに慎重な姿勢を崩さない人もいます。
ドナルド・トランプ氏の勝利後、関税導入を支持することで知られる同氏が、さらなる警戒感を再び強めている。これまでのところ、トランプ氏は中国と欧州連合からの輸入品に関税を課す可能性を示唆しており、次はカナダとメキシコが対象となる可能性がある。
関税の直接的な影響は、輸入業者と消費者のコスト増加によるインフレの増加です。これは、報復措置につながり、本格的な貿易戦争にエスカレートし、世界的な貿易緊張を高める可能性があります。このようなシナリオでは、連邦準備制度理事会が現在の緩和サイクルを一時停止するか、停止するか、さらには金利引き上げを検討する可能性があります。これらすべての要因は、将来的に米ドル高を支える可能性があります。
In terms of economic growth, the US economy has been significantly outperforming its G10 counterparts. For now, there appears to be little indication that this trend will reverse in the near-to-medium terms. However, it remains uncertain whether the economic consequences of Trump’s tariff policies could meaningfully dent US GDP growth.
Let the Trump 2.0 show begin
The so-called “Trump trade” has been a driving force behind the pronounced rally in the US Dollar since early October, fuelled by a shift in US investor sentiment towards a potential Donald Trump victory in the November 5 election.
A glimpse into what a Trump 2.0 administration might look like reveals that, in terms of economic policy, Trump emphasises corporate deregulation, a more lenient approach to fiscal policy, and a focus on promoting domestic manufacturing. He also advocates for tariffs to protect American industries and reduce reliance on imports.
Strict immigration enforcement remains central to Trump’s agenda, including increased border security, tighter asylum policies... and the possible completion of the southern border wall?
In foreign policy, Trump prioritises US self-interest, supporting reduced US military involvement overseas, pressuring NATO allies to increase defence spending, and confronting China both economically and diplomatically.
On energy and environmental policy, Trump promotes energy independence by expanding fossil fuel production, rolling back environmental regulations, and withdrawing from international climate agreements.
Trump, the Fed, and Chair Powell
Monetary policy is another area likely to draw attention, particularly the dynamic between Trump and Fed Chair Powell. During his first term, Trump frequently criticised Powell, accusing him of being too slow to cut interest rates. Recently, Trump has floated the idea that the president should have influence over interest rate decisions—a role traditionally reserved for the independent Federal Reserve. How this tension plays out could have significant implications for economic policy and the Fed’s independence.
Earlier this month, Powell addressed concerns about his role being undermined by the incoming administration. Speaking at a New York Times event, he dismissed the notion of a "shadow Fed chair" and expressed confidence in building a strong relationship with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who recently said that Powell should serve the remainder of his term.
Against the backdrop of a resilient US economy, some gradual (debatable?) easing in the labour market, and persistent inflationary pressures, Powell suggested that the Fed is in no hurry to further reduce its Federal Funds Target Rate (FFTR). He also highlighted the importance of a cautious approach in determining the neutral rate.
Powell’s stance aligns with that of FOMC Governor Michelle Bowman, who recently argued that inflation remains a significant risk to the economy. She also noted that the labour market's continued strength, nearing full employment, raises concerns about price stability. Bowman advocated for a gradual and measured approach to reducing the policy rate as long as inflation remains elevated.
The above was reinforced at the final FOMC meeting of the year. On December 18, the central bank aligned with broad expectations and lowered its Fed Funds Target Range by 25 basis points to 4.25%-4.50%. However, it signalled a more cautious pace of easing for the next year, with the majority of officials expressing concerns that inflation could reignite.
Regarding the so-called “dot plot,” the updated version provided insight into central bankers' economic expectations. It revealed plans for two small interest rate cuts next year, as inflationary pressures remain persistent. This measured approach suggests the Fed is in no hurry to act in January, when Trump begins his second term in the White House.
The new projections hint at a more cautious stance following the Fed’s third consecutive rate cut in December. Policymakers expect the benchmark lending rate to end in 2025 in the 3.75%-4.00% range. By late 2026, they anticipate rates will ease further, reaching about 3.4%. Even at that level, borrowing costs would remain above their revised estimate of the “neutral” rate—now set at 3%—the level where the economy neither overheats nor slows.
The message? The Fed is treading carefully, trying to control inflation without overcorrecting in an uncertain economic environment.
US economic exceptionalism to extend into 2025
What about updated projections for economic activity and inflation? Fed officials expect the domestic economy to grow faster than previously forecast, with growth pegged at 2.5% this year and 2.1% in 2025. These figures represent an upgrade from September’s projections, which predicted 2% growth for both years.
Unemployment, currently at 4.2%, is expected to remain steady through this quarter before rising slightly to 4.3% by late 2025. This marks an improvement from earlier projections, which had forecast a rate of 4.4% for both periods.
Inflation, however, remains stubborn. Core inflation, a key measure that excludes volatile food and energy prices, is now projected to stay elevated for longer than previously expected. It is forecast to hit 2.8% this year before gradually easing to 2.5% by the end of 2025. These figures are higher than September’s projections, which anticipated core inflation at 2.6% this year and 2.2% next year.
The updated outlook highlights the ongoing challenges of managing economic growth alongside inflation control, as price pressures persist despite a cooling labour market.
In his final press conference of 2024, Chair Jerome Powell reiterated that policymakers are focused on bringing inflation closer to their 2% target before considering further rate cuts. He acknowledged that inflation has exceeded year-end expectations, underscoring the need for continued progress toward price stability.
Powell also remarked that the labour market is softening, but in a gradual and orderly manner. He described the current economic conditions as relatively balanced between the Fed’s dual mandates of low inflation and full employment.
When asked about the possibility of raising interest rates instead of cutting them, Powell did not entirely rule out the idea but said it was unlikely. "You don't rule things completely in or out in this world. That doesn't appear to be a likely outcome," he commented.
On the topic of the incoming Trump administration, Powell emphasised it was too early to predict how President-elect Trump’s economic policies might impact the economy or the Fed’s decisions. He noted the significant uncertainty surrounding these plans, saying, "It’s very premature to make any kind of conclusion. We don’t know what will be tariffed, from what countries, for how long, in what size."
Powell urged patience, adding, "We need to take our time, not rush," as the central bank waits for clearer signals on the new administration’s policies. While there is growing speculation that Trump’s preferences for tariffs and stricter immigration policies could drive inflation higher, Powell made it clear that the Fed will wait for concrete developments before adjusting its approach.
US Dollar Index Technical Analysis: Bullish outlook prevails
The yearly high above the 108.00 barrier, recorded soon after the Fed’s hawkish cut on December 18, was confirmed by the daily RSI, which initially flirted with the overbought region, leaving some room for a potential near-term corrective move.
At the upper end of the range, the continuation of a bullish bias is likely to face immediate resistance at the 2024 high of 108.26. Beyond this level, resistance aligns with the November 2022 peak of 113.14, reached on November 3, followed by the October 2022 top of 113.94, marked on October 21, and the 2022 peak of 114.77, registered on September 28.
If sellers regain control, initial support lies at the December low of 105.42, clocked on December 6. A break below this level could pave the way for a test of the provisional 55-day SMA at 105.22, situated above the more critical 200-day SMA at 104.24.
A deeper pullback might revisit the November low of 103.37 (November 5), further reinforced by the nearby 100-day SMA. South of this area, the 200-week SMA at 101.40 provides additional support, followed by the 2024 bottom of 100.15, achieved on September 27.
今のところ、指数が重要な 200 日 SMA を上回っている限り、さらなる上昇はあり得る。強気の見通しは、指数が一目均衡表の雲を大きく上回って取引され、RSI が 70 付近で上昇傾向にあることで裏付けられている。さらに、平均方向性指数 (ADX) が約 35 であることは、現在のトレンドが中程度の強さを示している。
結論
2025年は米ドルにとってプラスの年になると思われます。
地政学的面では、ロシア・ウクライナ戦争やイスラエル・イラン・レバノン紛争の終結の見通しが立たず、シリア情勢の不安定化が中東の不確実性を高め続けている。この複雑な状況が続くと、安全資産への需要が持続し、ドルを支えることになるだろう。
さらに、多くの市場参加者が予想しているようにトランプ 2.0 シナリオが実現すれば、大幅な関税が再び課される可能性が高く、報復措置が引き起こされ、世界的な貿易摩擦が再燃する可能性があります。インフレ圧力の高まりにより、FRB は行動を余儀なくされ、現在進行中の利下げサイクルが停止したり、利上げプログラムが開始されたりする可能性もあります。これにより、米国の利回りが上昇し、米ドルがさらに上昇する可能性があります。
米国経済の回復力と世界の他の国々の苦戦との著しい対照により、米国では利下げが限定的(あるいはその欠如)であるのに対し、海外では来年金融緩和サイクルが深まると予想されている。この乖離はライバル通貨のさらなる下落を裏付け、2025年までのドルの建設的な見通しを強めるものとなる。