Gold Prices Fall Amid Rate Jitters; Copper Steady as China Stimulus Eyed 
Switzerland ZEW economic sentiment index strengthened to 12.9 in December from 8.9 in the previous month. The index stood at its highest level in six months and is seen rising for the fourth consecutive month.
Survey results from the Mannheim-based Centre for European Economic Research or ZEW showed Wednesday that respondents expected the momentum of economic development to hold steady in the next six months.
Meanwhile, the current conditions index declined by 3.2 points to 9.7 from 14.7 in the previous month. The assessment of the current economic situation in Switzerland deteriorated with a decline in the number of respondents stating that conditions were good, although the vast majority reported conditions as normal with none reporting the situation as bad.
The data will maintain expectations of solid growth within the Swiss economy. There will also be reduced expectations that the Swiss National Bank (SNB) will decide to cut interest rates again. The Swiss franc edged slightly stronger after the data with USD/CHF testing the 1.0100 level as EUR/CHF dipped below 1.0750.
FxWirePro's Hourly CHF Spot Index was at 37.5923 (Neutral) at 1215 GMT, USD Spot Index was at -134.711 (Highly bearish). For more details on FxWirePro's Currency Strength Index, visit http://www.fxwirepro.com/currencyindex.
