Core Viewpoint - The article indicates that the Swiss National Bank is expected to maintain its current interest rates during the upcoming meeting [1] Summary by Relevant Categories - **Monetary Policy Expectations** - The reading supports the anticipation that the Swiss National Bank will keep rates unchanged at its next meeting [1]

Switzerland’s inflation situation is basically unchanged from last year, according to Swiss National Bank President Martin Schlegel https://t.co/gKhFyhy0OT ...

Central Bank Independence - Central bank independence is crucial for controlling inflation, as emphasized by Swiss National Bank Chairman Martin Schlegel [1][2] - Schlegel highlighted that a central bank must be independent to fulfill its mandate of price stability, particularly in light of pressures from political figures [2][3] U.S. Federal Reserve Context - The U.S. Federal Reserve, led by Jerome Powell, is currently facing a criminal investigation related to the renovation of Fed buildings, which Powell views as an attempt to pressure the bank to cut interest rates [2][4] - Schlegel expressed the importance of the Fed not only for the U.S. but also for the global economy, noting that a lack of independence typically leads to higher inflation [3] Swiss Franc Performance - The Swiss franc appreciated nearly 14.5% against the dollar last year, marking its strongest annual performance since 2002, driven by global political turbulence and trade concerns [4] - Recent developments, including fears of a trade war and new tariffs proposed by the U.S. president, have contributed to the franc's rise, which gained 1.4% in the past week [4] SNB Asset Management - The appreciation of the Swiss franc reduces the value of the Swiss National Bank's dollar-denominated assets, which constitute about 36% of its total foreign currency reserves of 765 billion francs (approximately $966 billion) [5] - The SNB focuses on diversification across currencies and various instruments, including government bonds, corporate bonds, and equities, while continuously assessing its investment universe [6]

Swiss to vote on preserving cash as a payment system Despite its steadily declining use in everyday transactions, cash remains popular among the Swiss population. Schweizerische Nationalbank 2016 Select your language Generated with artificial intelligence. On March 8, the Swiss will decide whether the availability of cash should be enshrined in the constitution. A popular initiative and the government’s counterproposal are both on the ballot. An explainer. 6 minutes How do ...

Core Insights - The Swiss National Bank reported a profit of approximately 26 billion Swiss francs ($32.52 billion) for the year 2025, primarily driven by significant increases in gold prices as investors sought safe-haven assets [1] Financial Performance - The profit of 26 billion Swiss francs represents a substantial financial gain for the Swiss National Bank, highlighting the impact of market conditions on its earnings [1] - The increase in gold prices was a key factor contributing to this profit, indicating a shift in investor behavior towards safer investments during uncertain economic times [1] Market Trends - The rise in gold prices reflects broader market trends where investors are increasingly turning to gold as a hedge against economic instability [1] - This trend may suggest a growing demand for safe-haven assets, which could influence future investment strategies and market dynamics [1]

for the potential market impact here at home. Let's bring in market forecaster Jim Biano Bianca Research. Jim, great to have you with us.There's a lot to discuss, but in terms of the CPI print, this has not in your mind put to bed the concerns about inflation going higher. >> Yeah, this number was a statistical mess. They assumed that rents in the United States were effectively zero for the month of October.They surveyed the second half of the month because the government was shut down. So when you see thin ...

Core Viewpoint - The Swiss National Bank (SNB) decided to maintain the benchmark interest rate at zero for the second consecutive time, aligning with expectations from economists surveyed by Bloomberg [1] Group 1: Monetary Policy Decisions - The SNB's decision to keep the interest rate unchanged reflects a slight decline in inflation over recent months, with the central bank aiming to ensure a gradual rise in inflation over the coming quarters [1] - The SNB has revised its inflation forecasts downward, lowering the 2026 inflation expectation from 0.5% to 0.3% and the 2027 expectation from 0.7% to 0.6% [1] Group 2: Currency and Economic Impact - Following the SNB's announcement, the Swiss Franc continued its upward trend, appreciating by 0.1% against the Euro to 0.9346 and by 0.2% against the US Dollar to 0.7985, reaching its highest level since November 18 [2] - The strong Swiss Franc is a key factor suppressing inflation, as currency appreciation reduces import costs, exerting downward pressure on domestic prices [6] - Recent optimism regarding a trade agreement between Switzerland and the US has catalyzed the Franc's strength, alleviating trade uncertainties and contributing to its appreciation [6] Group 3: Economic Growth and Inflation Outlook - The SNB has adjusted its economic growth forecast for 2025 to "around 1%", a more optimistic outlook compared to the previous prediction of "slightly below 1%" [6] - The inflation rate in Switzerland has remained below market expectations for three consecutive months, with November's inflation rate slowing to zero, contradicting the SNB's earlier predictions of a rebound in inflation this quarter [6] Group 4: Policy Challenges - The SNB faces a challenging policy trade-off between persistent weak price prospects and the structural risks associated with reintroducing negative interest rates, which have previously harmed the pension system, savers' interests, and financial stability [7] - External pressures may arise from the recent 25 basis point rate cut by the Federal Reserve, potentially narrowing interest rate differentials and exacerbating risks of Swiss Franc appreciation and deflation [7] - The recent rise in global bond yields and uncertainties regarding US policy paths may provide the SNB with some leeway in managing cross-border capital flows [7]

The Swiss National Bank kept its interest rate at zero, judging that a weakened inflation outlook doesn’t yet justify a return to negative borrowing costs https://t.co/1wfubF7lLa ...

The Swiss National Bank is set to offer clues on just how high its bar is for a return to negative interest rates with a decision expected to keep them at zero https://t.co/xKyq485wRv ...

Federal Reserve and Interest Rate Decisions - Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is anticipated to implement another quarter-point interest-rate cut despite concerns from policymakers about high inflation [6] - Economists predict the Fed will pause after the upcoming cut, with two additional reductions expected in March and September 2026 [2] - The Fed's recent rate cuts were influenced by a deterioration in the US labor market, but some officials have expressed hesitance about further cuts due to inflation concerns [5] Economic Data and Market Reactions - Investors showed skepticism about another rate cut until New York Fed President John Williams indicated potential for a reduction, leading to a market expectation of over 90% for a cut next week [3] - The lack of recent economic data due to a government shutdown has contributed to uncertainty regarding inflation and employment mandates [4] - Third-quarter growth exceeded expectations, primarily driven by lower imports and increased military spending, while household consumption declined [7] Global Central Bank Actions - The Bank of Canada is expected to maintain its rate at 2.25%, indicating it is at an appropriate level given economic forecasts [6] - Other central banks, including those in Australia and Switzerland, are also making decisions regarding interest rates, with Australia likely to hold steady at 3.6% [12][13] - In Latin America, Mexico's inflation data is expected to show increases, while Brazil's central bank is anticipated to hold rates steady at 15% [19][21]