SNB left “expansionary” monetary policy unchanged as widely expected. Sight deposit rate is held at -0.75%. Three-month Libor target range is also kept at -1.25% to -0.25%. The central bank maintained the pledge to “remain active in the foreign exchange market as necessary, while taking the overall currency situation into consideration.”
While Swiss Franc has depreciated slightly since December meeting, SNB said “it is still highly valued” and the currency markets situation remain “fragile”. Thus, negative interest rate and the SNB’s willingness to intervene in the foreign exchange market as necessary therefore remain essential. These measures keep the attractiveness of Swiss franc investments low and reduce upward pressure on the currency.
Inflation forecast in 2019 is downgraded to 0.3%, down from December projection of 0.5%. For 2020, inflation is projected to be at 0.6%, down from 1.0%. For 2020, inflation is projected to pick up to 1.2%. The forecasts are based on keeping three-month Libor rate at -0.75% over the entire horizon. On growth, SNB expects GDP to grow by around 1.5% in 2019 as a whole.
