SNB & CHF

The brewer Christophe Haeni tastes a beer at the microbrewery “Garage”, which is part of the restaurant and bar “Barbiere” in Bern The Swiss beer market recovered last year thanks to the hot weather, as well as the continued boom in microbreweries and thirst for local craft beers. The Swiss beer market grew by 1.8% to 469 million litres (124 million gallons) between October 1, 2017 and September 30, 2018. This follows a...

Swiss Franc The Euro has fallen by 0.12% at 1.1293 EUR/CHF and USD/CHF, November 27(see more posts on EUR/CHF, USD/CHF, ) Source: markets.ft.com - Click to enlarge FX Rates Overview: The global capital markets have taken the US latest tariff threats in stride. Most of the Asian equity markets advanced, including Japan, Korea, Taiwan, India, and Australia. China and Hong Kong were exceptions with marginal losses....

Two cups of coffee per day are not enough to keep the Swiss going. (Keystone) The Swiss love their coffee and knock back more than three cups per day. They came in third, behind Germans and Norwegians, in an international ranking of coffee consumers. The Swiss drank no less than 1100 cups of coffee per person per day, according to a ranking published on Monday by CafetierSuisseexternal link, a catering industry...

There are three key scheduled events between now and the end of the year. In chronological order, this weekend G20 meeting is first. It will shape expectations for trade tensions between the US and China, with extensive secondary impact. Saudi Arabia and Russia’s meeting may help shape expectations for the price of oil, which has collapsed here in Q4 18. The ECB meets on December 13 with new staff forecasts (likely...

A major theme of Keith’s work—and raison d’etre of Monetary Metals—is fighting to prevent collapse. Civilization is under assault on all fronts. The Battles for Civilization There is the freedom of speech battle, with the forces of darkness advancing all over. For example, in Pakistan, there are killings of journalists. Saudi Arabia apparently had journalist Khashoggi killed. New Zealand now can force travellers to...

26.11.2018 – In the 3rd quarter 2018, total employment (number of jobs) rose by 1.6% in comparison with the same quarter a year earlier (+0.1% with previous quarter; seasonally adjusted figures). In full-time equivalents, employment in the same period rose by 1.8%. The Swiss economy counted 13 500 more vacancies than in the corresponding quarter of the previous year (+23%) and the employment outlook indicator continues...

European Commission deems Italy’s budget noncompliant with EU rules. This week, the European Commission issued its opinion on Italy’s budget plans. Deeming them noncompliant with the EU’s budgetary rules, it recommended that an Excessive Deficit Procedure (EDP) be opened.Of the options available to the EU, a debt-based EDP would be the most difficult for Italy to deal with, as it would last longer and require Italy to...

Key Gold and Precious Metals News, Commentary and Charts This Week Gold and silver traded sideways this week as we saw stock markets take some heat and undo most of the recent recovery from the October sell off. Oil has sold off and is now at levels that we haven’t seen since 2017. While the US markets are quiet due to Thanksgiving all eyes are focused on Europe and the continuing debacle that is Brexit. With the...

A poster against lower corporate tax rates in a 2017 national vote campaign argues that such cuts would increase taxes for the middle class. On Sunday, Bern voters again rejected a package of corporate tax cuts. Voters in canton Bern have rejected a proposal to lower corporate taxes, dealing a surprise blow to the government and parliament trying to give the canton a competitive edge. Nearly 54% of voters on Sunday came...

The investment climate will be shaped by three events next week. ECB President Draghi’s testimony before the European Parliament to kick-off the week. Fed Chairman Powell speaks to the NY Economic Club in the middle of the week. Presidents Trump and Xi are to meet at the G20 meeting to end the week in hopes of dialing back the escalating trade conflict. Also at the G20 summit, the NAFTA2.0 is expected to be signed, and...