Geopolitical risks in the Middle East are reshaping the safe

Short-term Negative Correlation Between US Dollar and US Stocks Returns

Goldman Sachs' latest market report points out that the increasing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have recently led to a negative correlation between the US dollar and the US stock market. This trend deviates from the positive correlation observed since the start of the year, indicating a subtle shift in investors' risk aversion preferences.

In a joint article, Goldman Sachs strategists Stuart Jenkins, Teresa Alves, and Isabella Rosenberg note that over the past eight trading days, the US dollar and the S&P 500 index have shown a clear inverse trend. This change suggests that investors are beginning to see the US dollar as a traditional safe-haven asset once again when faced with global risk events.

Shift in Geopolitical Risks, Declining "Safe-haven Premium" for US Assets

Goldman Sachs analysis indicates that the core of recent risk events has shifted from the US to the Middle East, altering the global capital demand logic for the US dollar. Unlike earlier this year, when trade disputes led to simultaneous declines in the US dollar and stocks, the current risk pressures mainly originate outside the US, restoring the US dollar's appeal as a haven.

The report states: "We believe this short-term relationship change reflects that the sources of global growth and risk shocks have shifted from the US to other regions, particularly the Middle East."

Medium to Long-term Positive Correlation Between US Dollar and US Stocks

Despite the short-term divergence, Goldman Sachs reminds investors that over a longer time frame, the US dollar and US stocks still maintain a positive correlation. For instance, in the past two months, the US dollar has generally moved in sync with the stock market—strengthening during risk-on periods and pulling back when markets panic.

This positive correlation indicates that, under the backdrop of interest rate advantages and capital repatriation, the US dollar can gain support during risk asset rebounds, rather than solely acting as a "safe-haven currency."

Further Pressure on the US Dollar Likely

Goldman Sachs also points out that despite the recent geopolitical situation driving short-term strength in the US dollar, it still faces systemic pressure in the longer term. Goldman Sachs' global repo trading head Richard Chambers stated this week that overseas investors are gradually increasing the currency hedging ratio of their dollar assets, which could exacerbate the dollar's downward trend in the coming months.

Additionally, the high US fiscal deficit and peak interest rate expectations weaken the medium-term support for the dollar. Goldman Sachs maintains a bearish stance on the US dollar exchange rate, predicting continued weakness in the latter half of the year unless significant risk events occur.

Short-term Safe-haven Status of US Dollar Returns, Uncertainty in Trends

Currently, there is a temporary resurgence in the interaction structure between the US dollar and risk assets, indicating that investors are re-evaluating the global role of the dollar. However, from a long-term macroeconomic and capital flow perspective, whether the dollar can continuously regain its safe-haven status still hinges on further developments in the global financial environment.

Goldman Sachs advises investors to closely monitor the situation in the Middle East, the direction of global liquidity policies, and changes in currency hedging behaviors of various countries regarding dollar assets to better manage the potential impacts of dollar volatility.

The market carries risks, and investment should be cautious. This article does not constitute personal investment advice and has not taken into account individual users' specific investment goals, financial situations, or needs. Users should consider whether any opinions, viewpoints, or conclusions in this article are suitable for their particular circumstances. Investing based on this is at one's own responsibility.

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