USD/CHF remains firm above 0.8500 after Swiss GDP and CPI inflation data

• USD/CHF gathers strength near 0.8525 in Tuesday’s early European session. 
• The Swiss CPI rose 1.1% YoY in August; the Swiss economy grew 0.7% YoY in Q2. 
• Higher US Treasury bond yields underpin the Greenback, but firmer Fed rate cut bets might cap its upside. 

The USD/CHF pair extends its upside amid the firmer US Dollar (USD) around 0.8525 during the early European trading hours on Tuesday. The Swiss inflation was softer than expected in August, but the economy grew stronger than estimated. Investors brace for the US ISM Manufacturing PMI data, which is due later on Tuesday. 

Data released by the Swiss Federal Statistical Office on Tuesday showed that the country’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 1.1% YoY in August, compared to the previous reading of 1.3%. This figure was below the market consensus of 1.2%. On a monthly basis, the CPI inflation remains unchanged in August from a decline of 0.2% in July, softer than the expectation of a 0.1% increase. 

Furthermore, Switzerland's economy grew at a faster rate than expected in the second quarter (Q2). The Swiss Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expanded by 0.7% QoQ, compared to 0.5% expansion in the previous reading, stronger than the estimation of 0.5%. However, the upbeat Swiss GDP growth data fails to boost the Swiss Franc (CHF) in an immediate reaction to the mixed readings.

On the USD front, higher US Treasury bond yields provide some support to the Greenback. However, the upside of the pair might be limited as traders expect the Federal Reserve (Fed) to cut interest rates in September. The US August Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report on Friday could offer more cues about the pace and size of the Fed rate cuts. Financial markets have priced in around 69% chance of a 25 basis points (bps) rate cut by the Fed in September, while the odds of a 50 bps reduction are standing at 31%, according to the CME FedWatch tool.