Swiss Franc Weakens to Over One-Year Low
2026-09-18 08:39
By
Larissa Caser
1 min. read
The Swiss franc weakened past 0.82 per USD, hitting its lowest level since May of 2025, on a widening interest rate differential with the US and selling pressure from new carry trades.
The Federal Reserve's first rate hike in three years boosted greenback demand, while the Bank of Japan's policy tightening and a historic Washington–Tokyo intervention to support the yen reduced the currency's appeal as a carry-trade funding source.
Traders pivoted to alternatives offering exchange-rate stability and low borrowing costs, such as the Swiss franc, selling franc loans for higher-yielding assets and pressuring the currency lower.
Contrasting with other central banks, the Swiss National Bank is expected to hold its policy rate at 0% through year-end, the lowest among major economies, favoring interventions to cap excessive franc strength.
Offsetting this downward pressure, persistent Middle East tensions threatening energy supplies lift safe-haven demand.