The Swiss National Bank slowed the pace of its tightening cycle on Thursday, in line with market expectations but signaled there is more to come.
While most central banks would dream of 2.2% inflation right now, the SNB has made clear that there will be no complacency. Today’s hike likely doesn’t mark the end of its cycle, with another 25 basis points expected in September.
Having previously indicated that he believes the neutral rate is around 2%, Chair Thomas Jordan has effectively signaled to the markets that they won’t be done until at least this level is reached and today’s comments support that.
As did the forecasts, which assuming steady rates, had inflation remaining above 2% in two years’ time. In other words, more tightening will be necessary, alongside currency interventions, in order to get inflation back below 2%.
Despite some initial volatility, the Swiss franc is only a little lower on the day and not far from its pre-release levels. Against the dollar it has been trending sideways for more than a month and today’s decision has so far failed to sway it one way or another.
A move below 0.8850 could make things interesting, as could a move above 0.91, but with the price sitting almost in the middle of these two levels currently, we may have to wait a little longer yet.
Markets are pricing in a strong chance of another hike in the cycle while indicating a small chance that the central bank is done. There is still a long way to go in the global inflation fight and, if the last couple of years are anything to go by, there may be some more twists and turns to come.
For a look at all of today’s economic events, check out our economic calendar: www.marketpulse.com/economic-events/
Craig Erlam, Senior Market Analyst, UK & EMEA, OANDA
