|

SNB preview: High bar to a cut, hold at 0% – NOMURA

The Swiss National Bank (SNB) is expected to maintain its policy rate at 0% despite weak inflation and GDP growth, citing high barriers to negative rates. Following limited interventions in 2024, the SNB remains willing to use FX purchases to manage disinflation while forecasting steady growth into 2026, NOMURA's Research Analysts report.

On hold at 0.00% despite low inflation and falling GDP

"We expect the SNB to leave its policy rate unchanged at 0.00% at its 11 December meeting."

"The latest inflation and GDP growth data were both weak. However, we expect the SNB to forecast inflation to rise again and continued GDP growth in 2026, so a rate cut will likely not be required, particularly as the bar to a negative policy rate is high."

"The SNB purchased CHF5.1bn of FX in Q2 following limited interventions in 2024, suggesting it remains willing to use this policy tool to curb disinflation."

Author

FXStreet Insights Team

The FXStreet Insights Team is a group of journalists that handpicks selected market observations published by renowned experts. The content includes notes by commercial as well as additional insights by internal and external analysts.

More from FXStreet Insights Team
Share:

Editor's Picks

GBP/USD extends weekly uptrend, trades above 1.3400

GBP/USD clings to moderate gains and holds above 1.3400 in the European session on Friday. The British Pound gains amid optimism on the UK government leadership transition and Bank of England rate hike bets. Meanwhile, the US Dollar loses ground on Middle East de-escalation and receding Fed rate hike expectations.

EUR/USD rises to 1.1450 area on softer USD

EUR/USD continues to edge higher in the European session on Friday and trades near 1.1450. The US Dollar (USD) struggles to find demand as the US says they are committed to finding a diplomatic solution to end the conflict in the Middle East. Later in the day, the Federal Reserve will publish its Semiannual Monetary Policy Report.

Gold seems vulnerable near $4,100 amid Fed hike bets and Iran risks

Gold touches a fresh low during the first half of the European session, with bears looking to extend the intraday descent further below the $4,100 mark. As investors digest Wednesday's less hawkish FOMC Minutes, the US Dollar bounces off over a one-week low, supported by prospects of a US Federal Reserve interest rate hike in 2026 and geopolitical uncertainties.

Canada Unemployment Rate forecast to remain unchanged in June

Markets are anticipating a fairly stable report when Statistics Canada releases its Labour Force Survey on Friday. While the Net Change in Employment is predicted to rise by 10K in June, adding to the 87.8K gain in May, the Unemployment Rate is forecast to stay at 6.6%.

Five sessions, one round trip: Why the whipsaw is exactly what Warsh ordered

Markets opened July with a December hike as the base case and spent five trading sessions unlearning and relearning it. A 57K payrolls print bled the tightening bets out of the strip; a re-shut Strait of Hormuz is pushing them back in. Wednesday's minutes from the June Federal Open Market Committee meeting landed mid-round-trip, describing a world that had already stopped existing.

Five sessions, one round trip: Why the whipsaw is exactly what Warsh ordered

Markets opened July with a December hike as the base case and spent five trading sessions unlearning and relearning it. A 57K payrolls print bled the tightening bets out of the strip; a re-shut Strait of Hormuz is pushing them back in. Wednesday's minutes from the June FOMC meeting landed mid-round-trip, describing a world that had already stopped existing.