No. 98, July/August

In an annual survey of students and their employers, the KOF investigates whether the framework curriculum for the Höheren Fachschulen für Wirtschaft (HFW) [Higher Vocational Training Colleges for Economics] meets its requirements. Alongside an assessment of satisfaction with the study programme, this also assesses expectations of increased earning power as a result of the studies.

How high is the quality of the direct federal tax estimates provided by the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) and the Federal Finance Administration (FFA)? Commissioned by the two administrations, KOF has carried out a detailed analysis of the respective revenue forecasts. The results of this analysis show that, although the forecasts are generally unbiased, parts of the forecasts could be improved.

The European construction sector has recovered from the crisis years and can hope for a continuation of the economic upswing.

In June, the KOF Business Situation Indicator for the Swiss private economy fell for the first time in four months. The decline in June is predominantly due to the financial and insurance service providers. However, the recent drop in the indicator is less pronounced than its rise in May. All in all, in mid-2016 Swiss companies are in slightly better shape than they were at the beginning of the year. Nevertheless, the strain caused by the strong Swiss franc remains noticeable.