Swiss Franc: SNB on hold keeps upside in crosses – BBH
Brown Brothers Harriman notes the Swiss Franc underperformed as the Swiss National Bank (SNB) kept its policy rate at zero for a fifth straight meeting and resisted market expectations for future hikes.
Brown Brothers Harriman reports that the Swiss Franc underperformed as the Swiss National Bank (SNB) maintained its policy rate at zero for the fifth consecutive meeting and defied market forecasts of future rate increases. BBH asserts that the widening yield gap between Switzerland and the US/Eurozone should sustain upside momentum in USD/CHF and EUR/CHF currency pairs, given that inflation forecasts remain below 1%.
The Swiss Franc struggled under the SNB's stagnant policy rate, as anticipated. The SNB upheld the policy rate at 0.00% for an unprecedented fifth meeting, yet warned that it would resist market expectations of 50 to 75 basis points of hikes within the next year. The SNB emphasized that its monetary policy is suitable for keeping inflation within its mandate of less than 2% per annum.
Although the SNB slightly raised its inflation projection due to higher oil prices, it still anticipates inflation remaining below 1% across its forecast period. Ultimately, the widening yield gap between the US and Switzerland will exert upward pressure on USD/CHF and EUR/CHF currency pairs.
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