USD/CHF Flatlines Before US NFP Release as Trade Tensions and Geopolitical Risks Influence Market Sentiment
USD/CHF currency pair was flat at about 0.8290 in Friday’s Asian session as investors remained on the sidelines waiting for the highly awaited US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) release. Hope for prospective trade deals between the US and nations such as India, South Korea, and Japan, together with China’s openness to discussing trade, offered some support to the US Dollar. Nevertheless, fears regarding tariffs’ effects on inflation and growth, as well as disappointing weaker-than-expected US GDP readings for Q1 2025, limited the Greenback’s gains. Also, ongoing geopolitical tensions, especially over Ukraine, may support safe-haven demand for the Swiss Franc, curbing any potential USD gains before the NFP release, which is forecast to report 130K job additions for April. KEY LOOKOUTS • Later on Friday, the release of the US NFP report is an event to monitor, with a forecast for 130K job additions in April. A deviation from this number could strongly affect USD/CHF. • The continued evolution of US trade negotiations with India, South Korea, Japan, and China is of paramount importance. Favorable progress may underpin the USD, while setbacks or escalations may undermine it. • The geopolitical environment, especially in Ukraine, is still a cause for concern. Any further escalation would trigger higher demand for safe-haven currencies such as the Swiss Franc, which could weigh on USD/CHF. • With the US economy shrinking by 0.3% in Q1 2025, market participants will be watching how economic growth issues, as well as inflationary pressures from tariffs, could impact the trajectory of the USD. USD/CHF pair is at the moment in a wait-and-see mode around 0.8290, as the traders wait for the release of the US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) later today. The NFP, which is due to reflect 130K jobs added in April, may offer the pair some new direction. On the other hand, softening trade tensions, with possible deals between the US and nations such as India, South Korea, Japan, and China, can provide some support for the US Dollar. Yet, worries regarding the inflationary and growth effects of tariffs, combined with softer-than-forecast Q1 2025 GDP figures, are capping the Greenback’s gains. Moreover, tensions in Ukraine could fuel safe-haven demand for the Swissy, thereby limiting any USD advance. As a result, traders are following these events closely for any hints regarding the direction of USD/CHF going forward. USD/CHF is steady at 0.8290 prior to the US Nonfarm Payrolls, which is anticipated to show a rise of 130K jobs in April. Hopes regarding relaxing trade tensions can support the US Dollar, but fears over economic growth prospects and geopolitical dangers may cap any gains, thus keeping the Swiss Franc in play as a haven. • The USD/CHF currency pair is flat at 0.8290 as market players wait for the US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report release later today. • The April NFP report is likely to indicate 130K jobs added, which may affect market sentiment and the direction of the USD. • Postponed trade agreements between the US and nations such as India, South Korea, Japan, and China could prop up the US Dollar by alleviating trade tensions. • The US economy grew at a 0.3% decline in Q1 2025, softer than forecast, and may hint at growth worries and inflation concerns that will cap USD strength. • Further geopolitical tensions, particularly in Ukraine, may result in safe-haven demand, such as the Swiss Franc. • The Swiss Franc may gain as a result of escalating geopolitical uncertainty and cap any potential for the USD to rise. • Traders are taking a wait-and-see stance, sidestepping huge positions prior to the release of the NFP and the possibilities of large market-moving news. USD/CHF is staying firm as the release of the US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report is on the cards to give clues to the well-being of the US labor market. With modest employment growth expected, the report would be able to influence the movement of the US Dollar. Meanwhile, the outlook on US trade relations has improved somewhat, with agreements pending with nations such as India, South Korea, and Japan. This good news in global trade can help turn the market concerns around, providing support for the USD. USD/CHF DAILY CHART PRICE CHART SOURCE: TradingView But uncertainty over global economic conditions, especially following softer-than-expected US GDP figures for Q1 2025, still dampens sentiment. Moreover, persistent geopolitical tensions, like the conflict in Ukraine, also add to a risk-averse mood, supporting demand for the Swiss Franc as a safe-haven currency. While markets wait for the NFP report, most of the attention is still on wider economic and political events that may shape the USD/CHF pair in the future. TECHNICAL ANALYSIS USD/CHF has been ranging around the 0.8290 level, with little price action in the run-up to the US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report. The pair is still in a tight range, reflecting market uncertainty before the release of the data. A break above or below the current range may give clearer direction, with resistance likely at 0.8320 and support around 0.8250. Such indicators as the Relative Strength Index (RSI) are neutral, indicating that there is no strong momentum either way. Traders will tend to watch the NFP announcement closely for breakout indications or a change in momentum that may have an impact on the pair’s short-term path. FORECAST If the US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) release beats forecasts and reflects better-than-expected job creation, the US Dollar may get some boost, helping USD/CHF move past present resistance at 0.8320. Encouraging news about US trade talks with major nations and relaxation in overall global trade tensions can also bolster the USD. Moreover, any decrease in geopolitical risks, particularly for Ukraine, may translate to less need for safe-haven currencies such as the Swiss Franc, making the way for the USD to appreciate against the CHF. Conversely, however, if the NFP report fails to impress and shows weaker employment growth, or if fear over US economic growth increases with the latest GDP reports, the US Dollar may have a difficult time