A Swiss Nationwide Financial institution brand is pictured on the SNB constructing in Bern, Switzerland Might 20, 2020.
Arnd Wiegmann | Reuters
The Swiss National Bank ended its streak of 5 consecutive will increase, maintaining rates of interest unchanged at its quarterly financial coverage assembly on Thursday.
The financial institution, which started lifting charges out of unfavourable territory in June 2022, held its major coverage price regular at 1.75%.
“The numerous tightening of financial coverage over latest quarters is countering remaining inflationary strain,” the SNB mentioned in a press release.
“From at present’s perspective, it can’t be dominated out {that a} additional tightening of financial coverage could change into vital to make sure value stability over the medium time period.”
Inflation in Switzerland got here in at an annual 1.6% in August, comfortably under the central financial institution’s 2% goal, and sits considerably decrease than that of the nation’s friends — headline inflation throughout the euro zone ran at 5.3% final month.
The Swiss franc has additionally been the most effective performing G10 forex this yr, whereas the Swiss economic system stagnated within the second quarter, signaling that this might be the final hike from the SNB this cycle.
The Swiss Market Index was the one blue chip inventory index in Europe to commerce in optimistic territory on Thursday morning, gaining 0.4% within the hour after the SNB’s determination to carry charges.
At its earlier assembly in June, the central financial institution opted for a 25 foundation level improve, after increments of as a lot as 75 foundation factors beforehand.
The SNB famous that the expansion outlook for the worldwide economic system within the coming quarters “stays subdued,” though inflation is “prone to stay elevated worldwide in the interim.”
“Over the medium time period, nevertheless, it ought to return to extra average ranges, not least on account of extra restrictive financial coverage,” the central financial institution mentioned.
However the SNB prompt {that a} “pronounced slowdown within the world economic system” can’t be dominated out, given persistently excessive inflation elsewhere on the earth, which might necessitate additional financial coverage tightening for some central banks. The SNB’s remark additionally factored in a attainable deterioration of the power state of affairs in Europe over the winter.
The central financial institution cited this potential slowdown as the primary danger to the Swiss economic system, which it expects to develop by round 1% this yr, as unemployment continues to rise barely and the utilization of manufacturing capability declines.