SNB & CHF

Bread in Geneva costs considerably more than bread in Zurich, but far less than a loaf in New York. (© Keystone / Martial Trezzini ) Zurich and Geneva are still among the world’s ten most expensive cities, but both have slid down the rankings since last year. The full effect of the coronavirus crisis remains to be seen. In the Economist Intelligence Unit’sexternal link annual report comparing the cost of living in cities around the world, Zurich is tied for 5th place...

The virus news stream is mostly positive today; yet risk assets are starting the week under some modest pressure The dollar took a hit last week but we think it will recover; some US data releases from Good Friday are worth repeating With most of Europe closed today, the news stream from the region is very light; oil prices could not extend their gains today after OPEC+ finalized output cuts over the weekend India March CPI is expected to ease to 5.90% y/y from 6.58%...

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has halted economies across the globe. With various countries on lockdown and companies unable to continue production, an economic downturn is inevitable. In light of this, the government of Denmark has come up with a strategy to avoid recession—paying 75 percent of private employees’ salaries. As long as companies do not fire people, the government is offering to pay 75 percent of their employees’ salaries, up to $3,288 per month...

Aktuell kaufe ich jeden Monat eine Unze Gold in Form einer Münze. Bis Ende des Jahres sieht mein Plan vor, insgesamt 15 Unzen Gold in meinem Portfolio zu haben. Die Münzen werden natürlich sicher in einem Bankschliessfach aufbewahrt. . Gold als Investment Manche fragen sich vielleicht, wieso ich Geld in Gold investiere. Für mich ist es eine Art Notgroschen vom Notgroschen und als Beimischung zum Portfolio. Ich sehe es weniger als Renditeobjekt an, als dass es eher...

◆ Gold prices surged to new all time record highs in euros and other digital fiat currencies today due to concerns about the outlook for risk assets and currencies in an era of unprecedented economic and monetary risk. ◆ Gold prices rose to a more than seven-year high in dollars today at $1,726/oz (see chart below) as mounting fears of a steeper global economic downturn due to draconian government lock downs increase and highlight gold bullion’s safe haven...

The tug of war between extending vs. softening lockdowns continues The dollar remains under modest pressure but we think it will eventually recover; Bernie Sanders has endorsed Joe Biden Europe reopens from holiday today but the news stream remains light; South Africa surprised with an emergency 100 bp rate cut Japan Prime Minister Abe’s approval rating is taking a hit; China’s trade figures for March came in far better than expected The dollar is mostly softer...

Swiss Franc The Euro has fallen by 0.16% to 1.0538 EUR/CHF and USD/CHF, April 14(see more posts on EUR/CHF, USD/CHF, ) Source: markets.ft.com - Click to enlarge FX Rates Overview: Risk appetites have returned today after taking yesterday off. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index advanced every day last week, slipped yesterday, and jumped back today. Most of the national benchmark advanced at least 1.5%, and the Nikkei led the way with a 3% rally to reach its best level...

The recent recovery in industrial activity seems to have stalled, probably because of the collapse in external demand and high levels of vigilance inside China. Since the large-scale coronavirus infection was contained, the Chinese government has been trying hard to get the economy back on track. The end of the lockdown in Wuhan after two in a half months is an important milestone in that respect. But in the past couple of weeks, economic recovery has come up...

The spring meetings of the World Bank and IMF will be held virtually this week amid a profound economic crisis spurred by a novel coronavirus. Unlike previous such viruses, this went global in such a destructive way that many countries have responded the same way. Encouraging social distancing, closing non-essential businesses, and enforcing lockdowns. The economic contraction that has begun is beyond what has been seen since the Great Depression. Even before the...

Schoolwork at home: some do more, some do less (Keystone / Laurent Gillieron) There is a big difference in the amount of time pupils are spending at their studies during the corona school closures, a Swiss-led study has found. Some children are doing five or more hours a day, others just one or two. This is one of the main findings of the School Barometerexternal link, led by the Institute of the Management and Economics of Education (IBB)external link of the...