Looking to buy a few quality S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares to add to your 2026 investment portfolio?
Then you may wish to run your slide rule over Aussie electronics retailer JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH) and home furnishings and whitegoods retailer Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN).
The past year delivered widely differing results from the two ASX 200 shares.
But with Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) forecasting an ongoing rebound for the Australian dollar, 2026 could see both stocks outperforming.
If you've been following currency moves, you'll know that the Aussie dollar plumbed a five-year low of 59.22 US cents in April amid the height of US tariff fears and uncertainties. At market close on Tuesday, that same dollar was worth 67.22 US cents.
And CBA expects further strengthening in the months ahead.
The bank noted, "The Aussie typically does well against most currencies when the world economy is in a cyclical upswing."
CBA also expects growth-supportive US tax cuts and US Fed interest rate cuts (while the RBA holds firm or possibly hikes rates) to drive gains in the Aussie dollar.
Indeed, CommBank noted that analysts are forecasting the Australian dollar could reach 73 US cents in 2026 "if tariff fears ease and US tax cuts support growth".
As for ASX 200 shares that could stand to benefit, CBA noted, "A stronger currency is good news for local companies that re-sell imported goods, especially volume retailers such as Harvey Norman and JB Hi-Fi."
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What's been happening with these quality ASX 200 shares?
As mentioned above, JB Hi-Fi and Harvey Norman shares delivered very disparate returns to stockholders over the past 12 months.
Turning to JB Hi-Fi first, shares in the electronics retailer closed yesterday trading for $93.99 apiece. This sees the ASX 200 share down 0.8% since this time last year.
Though investors will also have received two fully franked dividends totalling $3.75 a share over this time, putting them back in the green. JB Hi-Fi shares trade on a fully franked trailing dividend yield of 4%.
Harvey Norman stockholders have enjoyed a much more profitable year.
Harvey Norman shares closed on Tuesday trading for $6.90. That puts this ASX 200 share up 46% over 12 months.
Harvey Norman shares also trade on a 3.8% fully-franked trailing dividend yield.
Looking ahead, both companies stand to benefit from lower realised costs for their imported electronics, furniture, and appliances should the Aussie dollar continue to appreciate as CBA forecasts.
