ZEW-CS Financial Market Test Switzerland - Increasing Confidence

In August 2013 economic expectations for Switzerland increased slightly by 2.4 points. Accordingly, the ZEW-CS Indicator of economic expectations now stands at 7.2 points. This could be a first indication that economic expectations might slide over to a gentle upward trend after three consecutive months on a stable level. The ZEW-CS Indicator is calculated monthly by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) in cooperation with Credit Suisse (CS). The indicator reflects the expectations of the surveyed financial market experts regarding the economic development in Switzerland on a six-month time horizon.

The improved economic expectations in August have been caused by a slight increase on the side of the optimists. Accordingly, the share of analysts who expect a stable economic environment in Switzerland over the next six months has decreased by 2.4 percentage points. The share of pessimists has remained unchanged and amounts to 11.9 per cent.

The assessment of the current economic situation in Switzerland has improved by 4.7 points. The respective indicator currently peaks at 30.9 points. This is the highest reading since August 2011.

In August analysts’ assessments suggest a greater confidence that Eurozone’s economy may have bottomed out. Accordingly, economic expectations for the Eurozone increased by 9.8 points reaching a level of 41.4 points. This is the highest level since February 2010.

For further information please contact

Lena Jaroszek (ZEW), Phone +49 621/1235-380, E-mail jaroszek@zew.de

Maxime Botteron (CS), Phone +41 443329061, E-mail maxime.botteron@credit-suisse.com