KOF Business Tendency Surveys, July 2018: Swiss Economy Currently on the Ascent – Outlook Less Optimistic
The KOF Business Situation Indicator rose once again in July and more than made up the slight decline of the preceding month. The Indicator thus reverted to the upward trend it embarked on in spring 2016. Nevertheless, the companies’ business expectations are no longer quite as positive as they were in the first half of the year. The Swiss economy is enjoying a summer boom with just a few clouds on the horizon.
Interactive graph of the KOF Business Situation Indicator.
Trend by sector
The companies’ business situation improved in the majority of the surveyed sectors. Retail companies followed a remarkable trend as their noticeably improved business situation was falling in line with the general upswing. The improvement in the wholesale sector was even more substantial. The Business Situation Indicator also went up in the hotel and catering sector, among financial and insurance service providers and in the construction industry. By contrast, the other service providers and project engineering companies reported a slight decline.
Business situation by region
From a regional perspective, the business situation has improved on a broad basis. With the exception of Central Switzerland, which did not quite maintain its favourable business situation, the Indicator rose in all regions. The gain is rather small in the Lake Geneva region, Ticino, the Zurich region and Eastern Switzerland. In North-West Switzerland and Espace Mittelland, the business situation improved noticeably.
Contact
KOF Konjunkturforschungsstelle
Leonhardstrasse 21
8092
Zürich
Switzerland