2019
KOF Business Situation Indicator: Swiss Economy Picks Up Slightly – Manufacturing Remains Under Pressure
- KOF Business Situation Indicator
- KOF Bulletin
In November, Swiss companies reported no further slowdown of their business situation. Following a decline in September and October, the KOF Business Situation Indicator went up slightly in November (See Graph 6). Although the Swiss economy picked up to some extent in autumn, the economic environment remained difficult.
The Swiss Franc’s Equilibrium Exchange Rate: a Tentative Assessment
- Business Cycle
- KOF Bulletin
The turbulent history of the Swiss franc since the outbreak of the financial crisis has increasingly raised the question as to where the point of equilibrium is for the Swiss franc exchange rate. Although there cannot be any absolute point of equilibrium, attempts have nonetheless been made to assess the mispricing of the Swiss franc using the Behavioural Equilibrium Exchange Rate (BEER) model.
Do Internships Really Pay Off?
- KOF Bulletin
- Vocational Education and Training
Increasing numbers of university students do internships during their time at university to prepare themselves for the labour market. However, there is little evidence whether or not such an investment actually pays off. A new study investigates this question.
KOF Youth Labour Market Index: Switzerland Back at the Top
- KOF Youth Labour Market Indicator
- KOF Bulletin
The situation of young people on the labour market has clearly improved between 2016 and 2017. According to the latest KOF Youth Labour Market Index, Switzerland reaches the highest index score across Europe. Denmark drops to the second rank, but still shows a highly satisfactory situation on the youth labour market. With respect to the previous year, large improvements stem from the Eastern European countries, especially Slovenia and the Czech Republic.
The Countries and the Cities With the Highest Number of Patent Applications
- Innovation
- KOF Bulletin
A new database allows for the geolocation of global patent applications. Thanks to this database, technology clusters can be analysed and patent activities can be compared in different countries and cities. The data are also relevant to policymakers.
KOF Business Tendency Surveys from October 2019: Firms’ Business Situation Remains under Pressure
- KOF Business Situation Indicator
- KOF Bulletin
The Business Situation Indicator recorded another decline in October, having previously remained practically unchanged over the summer months (see G 10). The business situation is currently significantly less positive than it was last autumn, and has been worsening for several months, in particular in the manufacturing sector. The global economic slowdown is increasingly having knock-on effects on Switzerland.