The SNB has lowered its key rate again today, to 1.25%, after the previous 25bp cut decided in March. This decision appears grounded in a combination of three factors: inflation is on a stable and moderate trajectory, economic growth remains soft and excessive upward pressures on the CHF may arise during the summer.. With this decision, the SNB has likely completed its monetary policy recalibration and is unlikely to cut rates further this year.. Should European or global developments trigger volatility and upward pressures on the CHF, the SNB will probably resort to interventions on the FX market to manage the impact on the economy, rather than use the interest rate lever.

The past couple of weeks have brought useful insights about the US economy. And although pockets of weakness, risks and uncertainties remain, while the Presidential election looms, the general situation today appears to be quite good for the world’s largest economy. Business activity remains clearly positive, inflation has resumed a slowing trend after a short-lived unexpected pickup, and the Fed has clear room for easing its monetary policy if needed but has no need to rush neither. The scenario of a smooth, soft landing, where inflation would gently converge toward the Fed target, growth would gently converge toward its long-term potential, and the Fed would eventually gently loosen its monetary policy toward a neutral stance, no longer appears to be a pipe dream.

After months of speculations, this week could mark the start of the long-awaited global rate cut cycle across developed economies. (...)

An update on latest developments in the US economy

The Swiss National Bank cut its key rate to 1.50%, surprising markets as the first major central bank to lower rates post the 2022/23 hike cycle, citing effective inflation control and improved economic growth forecasts, aiming to support economic activity without undue pressure.

The possibility of a “technical default” by the US has been raised as the current debt limit for the US government, set by law, is expected to be hit sometime during the summer.

Jerome Powell spoke yesterday in the US Senate to present the Fed’s semi-annual monetary policy report. The Fed’s Chair took this opportunity to reiterate the commitment of the Fed in bringing inflation lower.

Yesterday, the Fed's FOMC tightened interest rates for the first time since December 2018. This first step came as no surprise to investors around the world.

Today, the European Central Bank held its monetary policy meeting. This session was highly anticipated in the current context of high uncertainties due to the situation in Ukraine, and already high and rising inflation even before the war started. Here are three questions answered to help shed light on today’s ECB meeting.