Swiss consumer sentiment makes a strong recovery but remains below average - SECO

According to the report from State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), consumer sentiment in Switzerland has largely recovered from its slump in April. Expectations regarding general economic development have improved, but those regarding the labour market remain very negative. Accordingly, respondents believe that now is not a good time to make major purchases.

In July, the consumer sentiment index stood at −12 points, meaning that consumer sentiment has largely recovered from its historic low in April (−39 points). However, it still comes in below average (long-term average: –5 points).

Expectations regarding general economic development have improved significantly, starting from their historically low level in April. The relevant sub-index has climbed to –17 points, indicating that a certain economic recovery has begun in the wake of the relaxation of the measures to contain the coronavirus.

By contrast, expectations regarding the development of the labour market remain very negative. Although the index on expected unemployment has improved, it is still fairly close to the historical level reached during the financial and economic crisis. Job security has also been assessed much worse than in April.

While households’ past financial situation (–10 points) has been rated at a similar level to the previous quarter, expectations regarding the financial situation have brightened considerably, with the relevant sub-index (–4 points) now only slightly below the long-term average. Declining consumer prices are also likely to have contributed to this result. Accordingly, the sub-index on anticipated price development has also dropped.

The likelihood of making major purchases has left April’s low behind but remains well below average, with the relevant sub-index standing at –17 points. Key reasons for this may be the difficult labour market prospects and the high level of uncertainty, which outweigh the improved expectations regarding households’ own budget.