Swiss Central Bank Governor: Inflation Outlook Uncertainty Remains Quite High

Odaily News According to Swiss National Bank President Schlegel on Wednesday local time, the uncertainty surrounding Switzerland's inflation outlook is "quite high," and close attention must be paid to whether the impact of the Middle East conflict triggers second-round effects on inflation. Schlegel stated that the rise in energy costs caused by the Middle East conflict is likely a supply shock. "However, second-round effects must be monitored very closely. If we see signs of second-round effects and inflation becomes too high, then central banks should act early and decisively," Schlegel said. Schlegel reviewed the Swiss National Bank's latest monetary policy decision in March, when it kept its benchmark interest rate at zero while slightly raising its inflation forecast for this year to 0.5%. He also noted that the Swiss National Bank's latest projections show that inflation will remain within the target range of 0% to 2% until 2028. "But obviously, the uncertainty around this inflation forecast is currently quite high. Therefore, given the Middle East conflict, our willingness to intervene in the foreign exchange market has increased," Schlegel stated.