Swiss Franc Advances Amid Risk Aversion

The Swiss franc climbed against its major rivals in European morning deals on Thursday, as European shares declined, with miners and bankers under pressure, amid weak corporate earnings.

The outlook over global growth darkened after the Fed Chair Yellen warned financial conditions in the U.S. and uncertainty in China had become "less supportive" of growth. Yellen reaffirmed her plan to increase rates gradually, but didn't close options for more rate hikes.

Oil prices resumed sell-off after gasoline inventories hit a record high for a second week and Goldman Sachs repeated its warning that crude oil futures might fall below $20 per barrel in 2016.

Figures from the Federal Statistical Office showed that Swiss consumer prices declined at a stable pace in January, in line with expectations.

The consumer price index fell 1.3 percent year-over-year in January, the same rate of decrease as in December.

The figure was also matched with consensus estimate. Prices have been falling since November 2014.

The franc showed mixed performance in Asian deals. While the franc held steady against the euro and the pound, it rose against the greenback. Against the yen, the franc declined.

The Swiss franc appreciated to near a 4-month high of 0.9661 against the greenback, reversing from its prior low of 0.9742. If the franc rises further, 0.95 is likely seen as its next resistance level.

The franc, having declined to 1.4159 against the pound at 7:30 pm ET, reversed direction and advanced to a 9-month high of 1.3925. On the upside, the franc may test resistance around the 1.38 mark.

The franc strengthened to more than a 2-week high of 1.0950 against the euro, off its early low of 1.0992. The franc is seen finding resistance around the 1.08 area.

On the flip side, the franc depreciated to more than a 1-year low of 114.75 against the yen, compared to 116.39 hit late New York Wednesday. The next possible support for the franc-yen pair is seen around the 114.00 zone.

Looking ahead, At 6:30 am ET, Bank of England deputy governors Jon Cunliffe and Andrew Bailey will appear at the Lords committee on euro zone financial system in London.

In the New York session, U.S. weekly jobless claims for the week ended February 6 and Canada new housing price index for December are due to be released.

At 10:00 am ET, Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen will testify on the Semiannual Monetary Policy Report before the Senate Banking Committee in Washington DC.

Eurozone finance ministers will meet in Brussels later in the day.