In its latest barometer published on 28 December 2018, the KOF, the Swiss Economic Institute of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zurich), is less optimistic about Swiss growth. Indeed, its economic barometer fell by 2.6 points in December compared with November (revised from 99.1 to 98.9 points) to stand at 96.3 points. This development is mainly attributable to indicators from manufacturing (the processing industry and construction). This is also the case for the finance and private consumption sectors, which are sending slightly negative signals. According to experts, the deterioration of the climate in manufacturing is strongly linked to negative prospects regarding order books and purchases of intermediate products. The electrical and metallurgical industries, as well as the paper and printing sector, are the most affected by this trend.
