Swiss economic outlook deteriorates significantly

Expectations for the Swiss economy deteriorated significantly in March, according to the KOF Economic Barometer. The leading indicator has fallen well below the long-term average. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox The barometer fell by 7.7 points to 96.1 points, the KOF Institute at federal technology institute ETH Zurich said on Monday. The long-term average value of 100 points was last undershot after the tariff shock in August and September 2025. The latest drop below the 100-point mark comes as a surprise. According to a survey by the news agency AWP, economists had expected values of 100 to 104 points in advance. According to the KOF Institute, the economic slowdown is taking place across a broad front. Both the production-side and the demand-side indicator bundles included in the economic barometer reflected the gloomy outlook. In particular, the indicator bundles for the manufacturing industry and foreign demand had to take a back seat. + Swiss ...