ZEW-CS Financial Market Test Switzerland - Economic Expectations Improve Once Again

In October 2013 economic expectations for Switzerland increased markedly by 8.6 points. This is the fourth consecutive improvement. Accordingly, the ZEW-CS-Indicator of economic expectations has reached the 24.9 points-mark, which is the highest reading over the past three years. The ZEW-CS Indicator reflects the expectations of the surveyed financial market experts regarding the economic development in Switzerland on a six-month time horizon. It is calculated monthly by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) in cooperation with Credit Suisse (CS).

In October, almost one third of the surveyed experts expect Switzerland’s economic development to improve over a six-month time horizon. Only 6.3 per cent of analysts expect a decline.

Analysts' assessment of the current economic situation in Switzerland has been improving continuously. In October the balance rises by 6.5 points to a reading of 43.7 points.

Optimism also prevails with respect to medium-term forecasts of GDP growth. On average the expectations of the surveyed experts with respect to 2014 GDP growth rate rose from 1.4 per cent in July to 1.8 per cent in the current survey.

Detailed results

More detailed results - including survey participants' assessment of developments in other countries - can be found in this month's edition of the "Switzerland Financial market report".

For further information please contact

Zwetelina Iliewa (ZEW), Telefon +49 (0)621 1235-346, E-Mail iliewa@zew.de

Maxime Botteron (Credit Suisse), Telefon +41 443329061, E-Mail maxime.botteron@credit-suisse.com