The Swiss National Bank left its key interest rate unchanged at zero percent on Thursday, a widely expected decision, while flagging persistent upward pressure on the safe-haven Swiss franc. Chairman Martin Schlegel said inflation in Switzerland remains relatively low at 0.6 percent, within the bank’s price-stability range of zero to two percent, and is forecast to rise slightly before declining again. The central bank kept its growth forecasts at around one percent for this year and about 1.5 percent in 2027, noting the economy has been resilient despite the Middle East conflict. Schlegel said the SNB is increasingly willing to intervene in foreign exchange markets if needed, as geopolitical uncertainty keeps the risk of strong franc appreciation alive. Harry Chambers of Capital Economics expects rates to stay unchanged over the next couple of years, with the central bank’s focus firmly on the exchange rate.