SNB’s Schlegel says will not hesitate to modify policy if price stability is endangered
Swiss National Bank Chairman Martin Schlegel said on Wednesday that inflationary pressures have increased as the October figure exceeded expectations. Schlegel added that the central bank won’t hesitate to modify policy if price stability is endangered.
Key quotes
Inflation in Switzerland climbed, October figure exceeded expectations.
No major second-round effects so far, but can't be excluded later.
Central bank won’t hesitate to modify policy if price stability is endangered.
Central bank will monitor situation closely, especially for second-round inflation effects.
Market reaction
No impact of SNB Schlegel's comments was seen on the Swiss Franc (CHF). At press time, USD/CHF trades 0.53% lower at around 0.8165.
SNB FAQs
The Swiss National Bank (SNB) is the country’s central bank. As an independent central bank, its mandate is to ensure price stability in the medium and long term. To ensure price stability, the SNB aims to maintain appropriate monetary conditions, which are determined by the interest rate level and exchange rates. For the SNB, price stability means a rise in the Swiss Consumer Price Index (CPI) of less than 2% per year.
The Swiss National Bank (SNB) Governing Board decides the appropriate level of its policy rate according to its price stability objective. When inflation is above target or forecasted to be above target in the foreseeable future, the bank will attempt to tame excessive price growth by raising its policy rate. Higher interest rates are generally positive for the Swiss Franc (CHF) as they lead to higher yields, making the country a more attractive place for investors. On the contrary, lower interest rates tend to weaken CHF.
Yes. The Swiss National Bank (SNB) has regularly intervened in the foreign exchange market in order to avoid the Swiss Franc (CHF) appreciating too much against other currencies. A strong CHF hurts the competitiveness of the country’s powerful export sector. Between 2011 and 2015, the SNB implemented a peg to the Euro to limit the CHF advance against it. The bank intervenes in the market using its hefty foreign exchange reserves, usually by buying foreign currencies such as the US Dollar or the Euro. During episodes of high inflation, particularly due to energy, the SNB refrains from intervening markets as a strong CHF makes energy imports cheaper, cushioning the price shock for Swiss households and businesses.
The SNB meets once a quarter – in March, June, September and December – to conduct its monetary policy assessment. Each of these assessments results in a monetary policy decision and the publication of a medium-term inflation forecast.