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The good years have started, increasing SNB Profits

Summary:
The increasing volatility of SNB Earnings Annual results are not really definite. Given that the SNB accumulates foreign currencies with interventions, they have huge swings. But in 2017, the picture is changed. Assuming a “biblical” cycle of seven good years and seven bad years, the SNB could now increase profits every year – thanks to a weaker franc and the seven good years. … until the next recession comes and the seven bad years start. At that moment the SNB will have to tolerate a massive loss: Given that the recession would be inflationary, she will tolerate a far stronger franc, for example EUR/CHF may fall from 1.25 to 0.90 over some years. Which will result into up 60-80 bn. CHF loss at the peaks. SNB

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The increasing volatility of SNB Earnings

Annual results are not really definite. Given that the SNB accumulates foreign currencies with interventions, they have huge swings.

But in 2017, the picture is changed. Assuming a “biblical” cycle of seven good years and seven bad years, the SNB could now increase profits every year – thanks to a weaker franc and the seven good years.

… until the next recession comes and the seven bad years start.

At that moment the SNB will have to tolerate a massive loss:

  • Given that the recession would be inflationary, she will tolerate a far stronger franc, for example EUR/CHF may fall from 1.25 to 0.90 over some years.
  • Which will result into up 60-80 bn. CHF loss at the peaks.

SNB Results Longterm H1 2017

The good years have started, increasing SNB Profits

- Click to enlarge

Interim results of the Swiss National Bank as at 30 September 2017.

The Swiss National Bank (SNB) reports a profit of CHF 33.7 billion for the first three quarters of 2017.
A valuation gain of CHF 2.3 billion was recorded on gold holdings. The  profit on foreign currency positions amounted to CHF 30.3 billion, and the profit on Swiss franc positions to CHF 1.5 billion.
The SNB’s financial result depends largely on developments in the  gold, foreign exchange and capital markets. Strong fluctuations are therefore to be expected, and only provisional conclusions are possible as regards the annual result.

Income statement, 1 January–30 September 2017

The good years have started, increasing SNB Profits

Source: snb.ch - Click to enlarge

Profit on foreign currency positions

The net result on foreign currency positions amounted to CHF 30.3 billion.

Interest income accounted for CHF 6.8 billion and dividends for CHF 2.5 billion. Movements in bond prices differed from those in share prices. A loss of CHF 4.0 billion was recorded on interest-bearing paper and instruments. By contrast, equity securities and instruments benefited from the favourable stock market environment and contributed CHF 14.4 billion to the net result. Overall, exchange rate-related gains amounted to CHF 10.5 billion.
SNB results Q3 2017
(in bn CHF)
Profit BalanceSheet Profit in %
Total Profit on foreign currencies 30.3 813.5 3.70%
Interest income(coupons) 6.8 813.5 0.84%
Dividend income 2.5 813.5 0.31%
Price changes in bonds -4.0 813.5 -0.49%
Price changes in equities 14.4 813.5 1.77%
Exchange Rate Losses 10.5 813.5 -1.29%

SNB Profit on Foreign Currencies Q1-Q3 2017

The good years have started, increasing SNB Profits

Source: snb.ch - Click to enlarge

Valuation gain on gold holdings

A valuation gain of CHF 2.3 billion was achieved on gold holdings,  which remained unchanged in volume terms. Gold was trading at CHF 40,071 per kilogram at end-September 2017 (end-2016: CHF 37,885).

SNB Results Q3/2017
(in bn CHF)
Profit Balance Sheet Profit in %
Total Profit on Gold………………………….. 2.3 813.5 0.28%

Percentage of gold to balance sheet

The percentage of gold compared to the total balance sheet is falling.

SNB Balance Sheet items
(in bn CHF)
Q3/2017 2016 2015 2014
Gold……………………………………… 41.7 39.4  35.5 39.60
Total Balance Sheet 813 746  640 561
Gold in % of Balance Sheet 5.13% 5.28%  5.55% 7.06%

Balance Sheet

The balance sheet has expanded by over 66.5 bn. francs by 8.91%.

Q3/2017 2016 Increase in %
SNB balance sheet in CHF………………. 813.5 746.5 8.98%
Swiss GDP in CHF 656 650 0.92%
% of GDP 124.01% 114,85%

Balance Sheet as at 30 September 2017

The good years have started, increasing SNB Profits

Source: snb.ch - Click to enlarge

While the SNB supports foreign stock markets and foreign companies, it does not invest in Swiss stocks.
Q1-Q3/2017 2016
Swiss Franc Securities -31,6 45,5
Total Balance Sheet 813456 746502
%CHF securities -0,0039% 0,0061%

Profit on Swiss franc positions

The net result on Swiss franc positions totalled CHF 1.5 billion overall, which essentially resulted from negative interest charged on sight deposit account balances.

Negative Interest rates

Furthermore, the SNB harms the Swiss economy, when it reduces the profits of Swiss banks by negative interest rates. But with this measure she maintains her own profitability.

Q1-Q3/2017 2016 Change in %
Income through negative interest rates 1.49 1.09 36.70%
SNB balance sheet 813.5 746.5  0.08%
in % of balance sheet 0.18% 0.15%

SNB Result for Swiss Franc Positions, Q1-Q3 2017

The good years have started, increasing SNB Profits

Source: snb.ch - Click to enlarge

SNB Liabilities

Electronic Money Printing: Sight Deposits

Sight deposits is the biggest part of SNB interventions.

Q3/2017 2016 Change in%
Total Sight Deposits 556 530 4.91%
Balance Sheet 813.5 746.5 8.98%
% of balance sheet 68.35% 71.00%

Paper Printing

Banknotes in circulation: -1.6 bn francs to 76.5 bn. CHF


The old form of a printing press, today a less important form of central bank interventions.

Provisions for currency reserves

As at end-September 2017, the SNB recorded a profit of CHF 33.7 billion, before the allocation to the provisions for currency reserves.
In accordance with art. 30 para. 1 of the National Bank Act, the SNB is required to set aside provisions permitting it to maintain the currency reserves at the level necessary for monetary policy. The allocation for 2017 will be determined at the end of the year.

SNB Liabilities and Sight Deposits, Q3 2017

The good years have started, increasing SNB Profits

Source: snb.ch - Click to enlarge


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George Dorgan
George Dorgan (penname) predicted the end of the EUR/CHF peg at the CFA Society and at many occasions on SeekingAlpha.com and on this blog. Several Swiss and international financial advisors support the site. These firms aim to deliver independent advice from the often misleading mainstream of banks and asset managers. George is FinTech entrepreneur, financial author and alternative economist. He speak seven languages fluently.

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