The Swiss franc ticked up against the dollar and the euro on Friday ahead of key Swiss economic indicators which markets will scrutinise for clues about the health of the economy and the interest rate path in Switzerland.
By 0655 GMT, the franc was 0.2 percent higher versus the dollar compared to the New York close, trading at 1.1366 francs per dollar after a sharp rise on Thursday in the wake of soft US economic data.
The franc changed hands for 1.6633 francs per euro, also 0.2 percent stronger compared to the New York close.
Economists expect the KOF leading growth barometer for December to inch down to 1.98 from 2.02 in the previous month in another sign that the booming Swiss economy was set for a moderate slowdown next year.
The closely watched indicator is due at 1030 GMT.
When the Swiss National Bank held its benchmark interest rate target unchanged at 2.75 percent on December 13, the central bank said the Swiss economy was in very good shape but the outlook was uncertain due to the global credit crisis.
But the SNB said that so far, robust consumption looked set to cushion some of the expected slowdown in exports, holding economic growth at approximately 2 percent in 2008 after some 2.5 percent in 2007. Markets will therefore also watch the UBS consumption indicator for November, due at 0900 GMT, for signs that Swiss consumer spending remains strong.
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