Headline: USD/CHF steadies as rate-cut odds ebb and traders eye US jobs data
Introduction: The US dollar’s recent swings have left USD/CHF broadly softer, even as markets trim expectations for a December Federal Reserve rate cut. With equities dictating risk appetite and Treasury yields, traders are now laser-focused on upcoming US labor releases and the FOMC path into year-end.
The macro backdrop remains highly data-dependent. When stocks rally, yields and the greenback tend to firm; risk-off days have reversed those gains, reflecting concern that an equity downturn could pressure growth and force the Fed to ease more aggressively. Market pricing currently implies roughly a 42% chance of a December cut, leaving incoming data to set the tone. While a softer September Nonfarm Payrolls print would be viewed as stale, a stronger reading could signal improving conditions even before the last two rate moves. The November jobs report is likely to carry the most weight ahead of the December FOMC, especially with November CPI unlikely to land in time.
On the Swiss side, policy signals are steady. The Swiss National Bank left rates unchanged at its latest meeting and continues to emphasize a high bar for returning to negative rates. Chairman Martin Schlegel has indicated inflation may tick up modestly in the coming quarters, keeping the SNB cautious but patient as the franc responds to global risk dynamics.
USD/CHF technical picture is finely balanced. On the daily chart, buyers defended support near 0.7882, eyeing a move toward 0.8073. The four-hour view shows a nearby cap around 0.7980; a sustained break above would open the path to 0.8073, while failure invites another test of the lows. Intraday, minor support sits around 0.7925—dips into that zone may attract bids with defined risk below, but a downside break would expose 0.7872. Short-term ranges remain tight, and price action around these levels will likely hinge on labor data flow.
Key Points: – USD/CHF remains under pressure despite lower odds of a December Fed rate cut, with equities steering broader risk sentiment. – Market-implied probability of a December cut sits near 42%, making upcoming US labor data pivotal. – September NFP may matter only if strong; November NFP is expected to be more influential before the December FOMC. – SNB holds rates steady; Chair Martin Schlegel flags a mild uptick in inflation ahead, keeping policy on watch. – Key USD/CHF levels: support at 0.7925 and 0.7882/0.7872; resistance at 0.7980 and 0.8073. – Near-term catalysts include ADP employment, FOMC minutes, Nonfarm Payrolls, Jobless Claims, and US Flash PMIs.
