Synopsis:
ING discusses the recent uplift in EUR/CHF exchange rates, attributing it largely to the re-pricing of the ECB's rate curve which has led to increased swap rate differentials between the Eurozone and Switzerland.
Key Points:
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Rate Differential Impact: The significant rise in Eurozone two-year swap rates, increasing by 60 basis points since January, contrasts with relatively stable Swiss rates. This divergence has been a key driver behind the recent appreciation of EUR/CHF.
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ECB Rate Cut Projections: ING predicts the European Central Bank (ECB) will implement three rate cuts this year, a more aggressive stance compared to the current market pricing of 68 basis points in cuts. This discrepancy presents a potential risk to further substantial gains in EUR/CHF.
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Forecast and Policy Outlook: ING maintains a near-term EUR/CHF forecast around 0.98 and anticipates a year-end rate of approximately 1.00. This outlook is based on the expectation that the Swiss National Bank (SNB) will adopt a more dovish approach than the ECB, potentially including the strategic use of foreign exchange policies to manage the CHF's strength.
Conclusion:
While the current re-pricing of the ECB curve has lifted EUR/CHF, the potential for additional significant gains may be limited if ING's predictions of more aggressive ECB rate cuts materialize.