Swiss inflation in September remains at 0.2%

ZURICH, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Swiss inflation remained unchanged in August, government data said on Thursday, in the last read out on price increases before the Swiss National Bank's next interest rate decision later this month.

Consumer prices rose by 0.2% in August compared with a year earlier, according to figures from the Federal Statistics Office, as price rises for domestic products were offset by cheaper imports.

It followed a 0.2% increase in July, and meant inflation has remained within the SNB's price stability target of prices increasing annually by 0-2% for the third month in a row after a 0.1% reading in June.

The figures ease pressure on the SNB to cut rates again on September 25, after the central bank cut its interest rate to zero at its last meeting in June to tackle deflationary pressure.

That move was designed to weaken the Swiss franc. The rise in the safe-haven currency has been a factor in low Swiss inflation by making imports cheaper.

Markets have currently priced in a 85% probability that SNB Chairman Martin Schlegel will leave the current 0% policy rate unchanged at the bank's next monetary policy meeting.