February

In February 2019, the KOF Economic Barometer dropped to a reading of 92.4. The recent downward tendency thus continued unabated. Accordingly, the Swiss economy can expect to experience a weak phase in the coming months

Growth in total capital spending in Switzerland will decline this year. This is among the findings of the twice-yearly KOF Investment Survey of over 14,000 companies. Although survey respondents plan to raise their capital expenditure further in 2019, the rate of increase will be lower than in recent years

The KOF Business Situation Indicator has started the new year in negative territory, falling for the second consecutive month. Firms’ expectations about their business going forward are less optimistic than they were. Nonetheless, they are predominantly confident about their future operating performance. Although the Swiss economy therefore remains in good shape at the beginning of 2019, companies are facing increasingly strong headwinds

The KOF Employment Indicator has fallen slightly for the second consecutive time. One key reason for this development is that employment expectations in various service sectors are no longer quite as upbeat as they were six months ago. By contrast, employment prospects in construction and in the accommodation and food service sector continue to improve