Keystone-SDA
Swiss entrepreneurs saw their confidence strengthen in July, so before the blow of the American customs duties by 39%, according to the KOF. The business situation as well as the prospects in the short term reassure them more.
(Keystone-ATS) The periodic report of the Zurich Conditional Studies Center (KOF) published on Thursday has been highlighting a continuous increase since April and a morale greater than July 2024. The “other services”, wholesale and hotel and hotel-restaurant categories have the best improvements. The morale in the financial services and insurance sector has also been invigorated but more slightly.
On the other hand, the manufacturing industry (exposed to the American market) and construction are more fearful about the future. The retail and project engineering displayed deteriorated perspectives. For these last two branches, pollsters even speak of “a little darker” perspectives over six months.
“Exporting companies strongly linked to the American market have not yet completely recovered from the April pricing shock,” underlines the KOF. “However, their production plans are no longer as cautious as to the time. »»
The question of inflation, the 7,000 companies in the private sector questioned lean for 1.1%. They predict that consumer price inflation will be lower over the next twelve months than it has been so far. In the longer term, five years, they opt for 1.8%.
