Switzerland's leading indicator rose slightly in December - KOF

According to the report from KOF Economic Research Agency, the economic barometer remains virtually unchanged at the end of the year. The sharp declines that the barometer underwent in early 2020 have been offset by a rapid recovery during the summer. The barometer already reached a value above its long-​term average again in August and was able to maintain this level during the second half of the year. However, the prospects for the Swiss economy remain subdued at the beginning of 2021 due to the ongoing pandemic.

The KOF Economic Barometer stands at 104.3 points in December, 0.6 points higher than in November (revised from 103.5 to 103.7 points). The slight increase is driven by bundles of indicators from the manufacturing sector and private consumption. An additional positive signal is sent by indicators for the financial and insurance service sector. By contrast, negative impulses are coming from indicators for foreign demand.

The positive developments within the manufacturing sector stem primarily from indicators for the machine and vehicle construction industry, followed by indicators for the textile and clothing industry, the electrical industry as well as the paper and printing sector. 

In the goods producing sector (manufacturing and construction) indicators for the assessment of new orders and the purchase of intermediate goods point in a positive direction.