SZ News

Budget surplus, strong currency to the point where it weakens exports if they don’t buy sufficient fx to keep the currency down. Fits the pattern.

Swiss July Consumer Indicator Declines to Lowest in 1 1/2 Years
Aug. 30 (Bloomberg) — A gauge of Swiss consumer demand dropped to the lowest in 1 1/2 years in July, adding to signs the economy is cooling.

The consumption indicator declined to 1.29 from a revised 1.52 in the previous month, Zurich-based UBS AG said in an e-mailed statement today. That’s the lowest since February 2010. It had previously reported a June reading of 1.48.

Switzerland’s Government Expects Budget Surpluses Through 2013
Aug. 30 (Bloomberg) — Switzerland’s government said it expects to post budget surpluses in every year through 2013.

The consolidated surplus for the state, cantons, communities and the country’s social-security system will widen to an estimated 0.8 percent of gross domestic product this year from 0.4 percent in 2010, the government in Bern said in an e-mailed statement today. In 2012 and 2013, the surplus may narrow
to 0.6 percent and 0.5 percent of GDP, respectively.

Public debt under the European Union’s so-called Maastricht criteria will decline to an estimated 36.4 percent of GDP this year from 38.4 percent in 2010, according to the statement. In 2012 and 2013, it is seen decreasing to 35.7 percent and 34.1 percent, respectively.