USD/CHF edges up above 0.7000 following negative Swiss CPI data

The US Dollar (USD) posts moderate gains against the Swiss Franc (CHF) on Friday, returning to levels above 0.7700 to trade at 0.7714 at the time of writing. The pair, however, remains trapped within the last two days’ trading range, and is on track for a 0.5% weekly loss.

The CHF dropped against its main peers on Friday following negative Inflation figures in Switzerland. Consumer Prices Index (CPI) data released on Friday has shown a 0.1% contraction in January, below expectations for a flat reading, while annual inflation remained steady at 0.1%, meeting the market consensus.

Pressure on the SNB to cut rates below zero

These figures add pressure on the Swiss National Bank to ease its monetary policy further, bringing the benchmark interest rate below the current 0% level, a measure that SNB President Martin Schlegel is reluctant to adopt. Nevertheless, Schlegel affirmed last week that inflation is the bank’s greater concern and that they will do everything they can to ensure price stability, which leaves all options open.

The US Dollar, on the other hand, is enjoying a mild tailwind on Friday, favoured by the risk-averse market mood amid the latest AI-induced reversal in equity markets.

Investors, however, remain reluctant to place large directional bets on the US Dollar, awaiting the release of the US CPI figures, due later on the day, aiming for further insight into the US Federal Reserve’s monetary policy. US inflation is expected to have remained steady at 0.3% in January, and to have eased to a 2.5% year-on-year rate, from 2.7% in December.

Economic Indicator

Consumer Price Index (MoM)

The Consumer Price Index (CPI), released by the Swiss Federal Statistical Office on a monthly basis, measures the change in prices of goods and services which are representative of the private households’ consumption in Switzerland. The CPI is the main indicator to measure inflation and changes in purchasing trends. The MoM figure compares the prices of goods in the reference month to the previous month. Generally, a high reading is seen as bullish for the Swiss Franc (CHF), while a low reading is seen as bearish.

Economic Indicator

Consumer Price Index (YoY)

The Consumer Price Index (CPI), released by the Swiss Federal Statistical Office on a monthly basis, measures the change in prices of goods and services which are representative of the private households’ consumption in Switzerland. The CPI is the main indicator to measure inflation and changes in purchasing trends. The YoY reading compares prices in the reference month to the same month a year earlier. Generally, a high reading is seen as bullish for the Swiss Franc (CHF), while a low reading is seen as bearish.