Swiss Franc steadies as Fed hike expectations offset safe-haven flows

The USD/CHF pair flatlines near 0.8090 during the early European trading hours on Tuesday. Traders brace for crucial US Producer Price Index (PPI) and Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation data later this week.

The CME FedWatch tool showed probability hovering around 60.6% for another quarter-point Federal Reserve (Fed) rate hike, whereas the Swiss National Bank (SNB) is widely projected to leave its policy rate anchored at 0% well into next year.

Traders will take more cues from the upcoming US Producer Price Index (PPI) and Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation data, which could shape expectations for the Feds next policy move. If the reports show hotter-than-expected outcomes, this could lift the US Dollar (USD) against the Swiss Franc (CHF).

On the geopolitical front, Iran threatened the US with “economic warfare” and said it had fired an advanced missile at American warships, underscoring the risks of further escalation only days after both sides traded blows again. Rising tensions in the Middle East could boost a safe-haven currency such as the CHF in the near term.

Analysts at Brown Brothers Harriman note that, despite the recent upside surprise in Swiss inflation, the policy outlook remains remarkably benign. They highlight that “the swaps curve continues to fully price in a first 25bps hike to 0.25% in June 2027,” underscoring market confidence that the SNB can stay on hold for an extended period. In their view, “the SNB has plenty of room to keep rates at 0.00% for some time, given that inflation remains well within the banks price stability mandate of less than 2% per annum,” a backdrop that helps cap how far the Franc can benefit from the latest data surprise.

In the daily chart, USD/CHF holds a modestly bullish near-term bias as it trades above the Bollinger middle band and stays well supported over the rising 100-day moving average. The Relative Strength Index (14) hovers just above the 50 line, hinting at steady, rather than aggressive, upside momentum while price grinds higher within the upper half of its Bollinger envelope.

On the topside, initial resistance is aligned with the Bollinger upper band near 0.8175, where recent gains could face supply if volatility picks up. On the downside, the Bollinger middle band at 0.8075 acts as immediate support, with the 100-day moving average at 0.8000 and the lower Bollinger band around 0.7980 reinforcing a broader demand zone that would need to give way to undermine the current constructive structure.