In the United States, December’s retail sales data provided a clear signal that consumer momentum is beginning to stall. Headline figures remained unchanged on a month-over-month basis (0.0%), falling significantly short of November’s 0.6% growth and missing market expectations of a 0.4% advance.
This cooling was echoed in the Retail Sales Control Group, which retreated by 0.1% following a 0.2% increase in the prior month, underscoring a broader moderation in domestic demand. Simultaneously, the Employment Cost Index (ECI) rose by 0.7% in the fourth quarter, reflecting a slight deceleration from the 0.8% growth recorded in Q3, according to the Department of Labor.
Despite this localized soft patch, broader global sentiment remains surprisingly buoyant. Final Composite PMI data for January suggests a marginal slowdown in activity at the start of the new fiscal year; however, Q1 growth forecasts remain steady at approximately 0.2% quarter-over-quarter. More impressively, the Sentix Investor Confidence Index for February surged to 4.2 from -1.8 in January. This marks the third consecutive month of recovery and the highest level observed since July 2025, signaling a substantial shift in market psychology.
Within the Federal Reserve, Dallas Fed President Lorie Logan noted that the labor market continues to stabilize, with downside risks becoming increasingly less relevant. Speaking at the FIA-SIFMA Asset Management Derivatives Forum in Austin, Texas, she emphasized that overall economic activity has exhibited a solid recovery in recent months.
Adding to this optimistic narrative, U.S. Treasury Secretary Howard Lutnick recently captivated market attention with a bold outlook on growth and trade. Lutnick highlighted that U.S. demand for AI chips is "enormous" and clarified that the administration does not intend to hinder this development, though he remained tight-lipped regarding potential licensing restrictions for China. Notably, he asserted that the U.S. Dollar has been "artificially driven higher for years" and that its current level is now more consistent with fundamentals. Most strikingly, Lutnick offered a highly bullish projection for the economy, forecasting GDP growth exceeding 5% for the fourth quarter and suggesting that growth could potentially surpass the 6% mark in the first quarter of 2026.
Finally, the focus shifts to Switzerland, where January inflation data is slated for release this Friday. The consensus anticipates that annual inflation will remain contained at approximately 0.1%. Against this backdrop, Swiss National Bank (SNB) President Martin Schlegel recently reiterated the challenges of a persistently low-inflation environment and a 0% policy rate. Schlegel reaffirmed the SNB's commitment to price stability within its 0–2% target range and signaled a preference for FX market intervention over further rate cuts, noting that current policy remains appropriate given the expectation of a gradual inflationary pickup in the coming months.

Technical Analysis
The USD/CHF pair has entered a corrective phase following its peak at 0.7817 on February 2nd. The price action has since retraced toward a vital local support zone established near 0.7639. This level has demonstrated a clear bullish reaction upon being tested; provided the pair can maintain its integrity above this floor, we anticipate a resumption of the bullish impulse toward the 0.7877 resistance target.
Currently, the 100 and 200-period Moving Averages are situated at 0.7734 and 0.7780, respectively, acting as dynamic resistance overhead. It is worth noting that the price has recently closed above the 9-period Exponential Moving Average (EMA), which often serves as an early indicator of a shift in short-term momentum.
Our momentum analysis via the MACD is beginning to provide bullish cues. The histogram has recently transitioned into positive territory and is gaining depth, a development that typically accompanies a new leg higher. While the signal lines are still positioned below the neutral zone, a recovery above this level—coupled with sustained histogram strength—would solidify the case for a long-term bullish move. Conversely, a decisive daily close below the 0.7639 support would invalidate this bullish setup and likely pave the way for a fresh yearly low.
Trading Recommendations
Trading direction: Buy
Entry price: 0.7673
Target price: 0.7875
Stop loss: 0.7590
Validity: Feb 20, 2026 15:00:00