MNI: Swiss Economy Showing Signs of Rebound - KOF

By Luke Heighton

     FRANKFURT (MNI) - Switzerland's economy is returning to 'normal', a leading

monthly sentiment indicator published Jan. 30 shows, with the headline index

jumping to the best level seen since 2018.

     January's KOF Economic Barometer rose to 100.1, following December's

downwardly revised 96.2 -- a 7.6 point increase over the last two months --

returning it to its long-term average.

     Indicators for "almost all" manufacturing is undergoing a recovery, the

reports author's noted, though the electrical and metals industries have not

kept pace with the uptick seen in machinery manufacturing, chemicals,

pharmaceuticals and plastics.

     There were also "slightly positive changes" in the indicators for foreign

demand, accommodation and food service activities, financial and insurance

services and construction, the report noted. The dampening effects of personnel

planning were less pronounced than previously seen, albeit offset by competitive

position indicators, which were "slightly muted" Prospects for private

consumption remained unchanged.

--MNI Frankfurt Bureau; +49-69-720-146; email: luke.heighton@marketnews.com

--MNI London Bureau; tel: +44 203-586-2225; email: les.commons@marketnews.com

[TOPICS: M$E$$$]