- USD/CHF rose as the US Dollar gained on increased safe-haven demand driven by escalating Middle East tensions.
- Greenback’s upside may be limited amid reports of the US, Iran, and mediators discussing a potential 45-day ceasefire.
- Swiss annual inflation remained close to the SNB’s lower target bound, reducing pressure for policy adjustments.
USD/CHF extends its winning streak for the third consecutive day, trading around 0.8010 during the Asian hours on Monday. The pair appreciated as the US Dollar (USD) gained ground amid increased safe-haven demand on heightened uncertainty in the Middle East.
However, the Greenback’s upside may be limited after reports that the United States (US), Iran, and regional mediators are discussing terms for a potential 45-day ceasefire. Unnamed sources see low chances of a deal being reached within the next 48 hours, a report from Axios cited by Bloomberg.
Earlier, President Trump set a new Tuesday deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while escalating threats against its power plants and other civilian infrastructure. Iranian officials warned of reciprocal retaliation, targeting US-linked infrastructure, and stated the strait would remain closed until compensation for war-related damages is secured.
Surging energy prices heighten speculation that the Federal Reserve (Fed) may postpone rate cuts and could even raise borrowing costs later this year if inflationary pressures persist. Market participants are now looking ahead to the latest Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) Meeting Minutes for clearer guidance on the central bank’s policy trajectory.
The latest domestic inflation figures eased pressure on the Swiss National Bank to adjust policy. Annual inflation rose to 0.3% year-over-year (YoY) in March, the highest in a year, but remains near the lower bound of the SNB’s 0–2% target.
