The KOF Economic Barometer decreases considerably in March. After increasing in the previous month, it falls below its medium-term average for the first time this year. The outlook for the Swiss economy deteriorates.
In March, the KOF Economic Barometer decreases by 7.7 points to a level of 96.1 (after revised 103.8 in the previous month). The dampened outlook is reflected in both the production side and the demand side indicator bundles which are included in the Economic Barometer. The indicator bundles for manufacturing and for foreign demand in particular experience a strong setback.
The sub-indicators for different aspects of business activity within the producing industry (manufacturing and construction) equally exhibit the negative developments. Particularly the sub-indicators for exports, for the general business situation and for order backlogs are under pressure.
Nearly all sub-indicators within manufacturing show negative perspectives. While the sub-indicators for food and beverages are slightly improving, the sub-indicators for machinery and equipment manufacturing, for the electrical industry, for the metal industry as well as for paper and printing products are particularly weakening.