SNB & CHF

The Producer Price Index (PPI) or officially named "Producer and Import Price Index" describes the changes in prices for producers and importers. For us it is interesting because it is used in the formula for the Real Effective Exchange Rate. When producers and importers profit on lower price changes when compared to other countries, then the Swiss Franc reduces its overvaluation. The Swiss PPI values of -6% in 2015...

Tens of millions of Americans and their employers pour money into pension plans each month, counting on those funds to grow and to be there when needed at retirement. But a time bomb awaits. The bulk of U.S. pension funds are dangerously underfunded, and the assets are often invested in securities that have bleak prospects for providing income that keeps up with a general decline in purchasing power. A pension plan...

Tens of millions of Americans and their employers pour money into pension plans each month, counting on those funds to grow and to be there when needed at retirement. But a time bomb awaits. The bulk of U.S. pension funds are dangerously underfunded, and the assets are often invested in securities that have bleak prospects for providing income that keeps up with a general decline in purchasing power. A pension plan...

IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde, Italian Finance Minister Pier Carlo Padoan and Founder, Chairman and Co-CIO of Bridgewater Associates, Ray Dalio - Click to enlarge As we scoffed oveernight, who better than a handful of semi, and not so semi, billionaires – perplexed by the populist backlash of the past year – to sit down and discuss among each other how a “squeezed and Angry” middle-class should be fixed. And...

Swiss Franc EUR/CHF - Euro Swiss Franc, January 18(see more posts on EUR/CHF, ) - Click to enlarge GBP/CHF Yesterday morning Theresa May, the UK Prime Minister set out a clear and realistic plan for the UK’s Brexit, which is likely to begin at the end of March this year. Many had expected to see her give a ‘Hard Brexit’ leaning speech and the Pound had lost value in the lead up to her comments, but when she...

One of the topics at this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos is: Squeezed and angry: how to fix the middle class crisis. As a precursor, the WEF published the 135 page  Inclusive Growth and Development Report 2017, which ranks Switzerland 3rd behind Norway and Luxembourg on inclusion, out of a group of 30 advanced economies. In addition, unlike Luxembourg, which is headed slowly backwards, both Switzerland and Norway...

  A Shift in Expectations When discussing the outlook for so-called “risk assets”, i.e., mainly stocks and corporate bonds (particularly low-grade bonds) and their counterparts on the “safe haven” end of the spectrum (such as gold and government bonds with strong ratings), one has to consider different time frames and the indicators applicable to these time frames. Since Donald Trump’s election victory, there have been...

Sterling’s 2.75% rally today is the biggest advance in more than eight years. The UK government has done a good job of managing expectations. Over the last week or so, Prime Minister May and Chancellor of the Exchequer Hammond has made it clear that the intention was a “clean break” from the EU. There is an implicit threat by both officials not to see a punitive agreement. There was, though little new in May’s speech...

Swiss Franc EUR/CHF - Euro Swiss Franc, January 17(see more posts on EUR/CHF, ) - Click to enlarge   GBP/CHF - British Pound Swiss Franc, January 17(see more posts on GBP/CHF, ) - Click to enlarge FX Rates The US dollar is broadly lower against major and emerging market currencies.  It has given up yesterday’s gains and more.  The proximate cause appears to be comments by President-elect Trump in a Wall...

Swiss Franc EUR/CHF - Euro Swiss Franc, January 17(see more posts on EUR/CHF, ) - Click to enlarge GBP/CHF The pound to Swiss Franc exchange rate rose today as investors were pleased by Theresa May’s comments about the Brexit. We are looking now at a more decisive Prime Minister Theresa May who has set out a plan and some objectives which if realised will create a much stronger and better Brexit than political...