- USD/CHF holds positive ground near 0.8485 in Friday’s early European session, up 0.32% on the day.
- The SNB cut the interest rates by 25 bps, bringing its policy rate to 1.00% at its September meeting on Thursday.
- Fed’s Cook said she 'wholeheartedly' backed rate cut.
The USD/CHF pair attracts some buyers to around 0.8485 on Friday during the early European session. The Swiss Franc (CHF) weakens after the Swiss National Bank (SNB) reduced interest rates on Thursday. All eyes will be on the release of US Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index data, which is due later on Friday.
The Swiss central bank decided to cut the interest rates by 25 basis points (bps), bringing its policy rate to 1.00%, the lowest level since early 2023. Goldman Sachs analysts noted the SNB cut on Thursday was supported by lower inflationary pressure, driven by a stronger CHF and other factors, and they expect a further 25 bps reduction at the December meeting, citing its dovish guidance and new inflation projections.
The better-than-estimated US economic data on Thursday have provided some support to the US Dollar (USD) against the CHF. The US weekly Initial Jobless Claims for the week ending September 21 rose to 218K, up from the previous week's 222K (revised from 219K). The figure came in below the initial consensus of 225K. Meanwhile, US Durable Goods Orders were flat in August, compared to a rise of 9.9% in July, stronger than the expectation of a decline of 2.6%.
Nonetheless, the dovish remarks from the Federal Reserve (Fed) officials and rising bets of Fed rate reduction in the coming months could cap the upside for the USD. Fed Governor Lisa Cook stated on Thursday that she "wholeheartedly" supported the central bank's decision to cut interest rates by 50 bps, calling it an important step in maintaining the path to "moderate" economic growth.
SNB FAQs
The Swiss National Bank (SNB) is the country’s central bank. As an independent central bank, its mandate is to ensure price stability in the medium and long term. To ensure price stability, the SNB aims to maintain appropriate monetary conditions, which are determined by the interest rate level and exchange rates. For the SNB, price stability means a rise in the Swiss Consumer Price Index (CPI) of less than 2% per year.
The Swiss National Bank (SNB) Governing Board decides the appropriate level of its policy rate according to its price stability objective. When inflation is above target or forecasted to be above target in the foreseeable future, the bank will attempt to tame excessive price growth by raising its policy rate. Higher interest rates are generally positive for the Swiss Franc (CHF) as they lead to higher yields, making the country a more attractive place for investors. On the contrary, lower interest rates tend to weaken CHF.
Yes. The Swiss National Bank (SNB) has regularly intervened in the foreign exchange market in order to avoid the Swiss Franc (CHF) appreciating too much against other currencies. A strong CHF hurts the competitiveness of the country’s powerful export sector. Between 2011 and 2015, the SNB implemented a peg to the Euro to limit the CHF advance against it. The bank intervenes in the market using its hefty foreign exchange reserves, usually by buying foreign currencies such as the US Dollar or the Euro. During episodes of high inflation, particularly due to energy, the SNB refrains from intervening markets as a strong CHF makes energy imports cheaper, cushioning the price shock for Swiss households and businesses.
The SNB meets once a quarter – in March, June, September and December – to conduct its monetary policy assessment. Each of these assessments results in a monetary policy decision and the publication of a medium-term inflation forecast.
Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.
If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.
FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.
The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.
Recommended content
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD extends losses toward 1.1100 on increased dovish ECB bets
EUR/USD accelerates decline toward 1.1100 in European trading on Friday. Softer French and Spanish inflation data ramped up Oct ECB rate cut bets, weighing on the Euro. However, the downside could be cushioned by a wobbly US Dollar, as US PCE inflation looms.
USD/JPY slides 1% toward 143.00 as Ishiba wins LDP leadership race
USD/JPY is seeing a fresh sell-off toward 143.00 in the European session on Friday. The pair loses over 300 pips, as the Japanese Yen rebounds on Shigeru Ishiba's win in the LDP leadership run-off. Sanae Takaichi, who favored keeping interest rates lower, was expected to win the race.
Gold price pulls back from record high ahead of US PCE Price Index, bullish bias remains
Gold price attracts some sellers on the last day of the week and retreats further from the all-time peak, around the $2,685-2,686 region touched on Thursday. The downtick is sponsored by the emergence of some US Dollar buying, which tends to undermine demand for the commodity.
US core PCE set to show continued disinflation trend, reinforcing Federal Reserve easing cycle
The core Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index is seen rising 0.2% MoM and 2.7% YoY in August. Markets have already priced in near 50 bps of easing in the next two Federal Reserve meetings. A firm PCE result is unlikely to move the Fed’s stance on policy.
RBA widely expected to keep key interest rate unchanged amid persisting price pressures
The Reserve Bank of Australia is likely to continue bucking the trend adopted by major central banks of the dovish policy pivot, opting to maintain the policy for the seventh consecutive meeting on Tuesday.
Five best Forex brokers in 2024
VERIFIED Choosing the best Forex broker in 2024 requires careful consideration of certain essential factors. With the wide array of options available, it is crucial to find a broker that aligns with your trading style, experience level, and financial goals.