Indicator Digest - CMS Forex

Gross Domestic Product

GDP is the broadest measures of the economy, encompassing every sector of the economy, such as consumer spending, business and residential investment. Increased growth relates to better corporate profits, stock growth, and eventually wages.

Main Indicator: Gross Domestic Product q/q

Most Recent Release

June
2nd, 2008

Actual

Forecast

Revised Form

0.3%

0.9%

1.0%

For 1st Quarter
Provided by: Swiss Statistics
Official Release: Press Release (PDF)

GDP y/y: 3.0%, forecast 3.3%, pr. 3.6% (4th Q)

From the Release: "The economy continued to grow in Q1 2008, albeit at a slower rate: the rise in Switzerland’s real GDP compared to the previous quarter was 0.3%. Growth in the first quarter was mainly driven by household expenditure and investment in fixed assets and software. Real GDP grew by 3% compared to the same quarter in the previous year."

Table of Past Data

	5/31	9/4	11/30	3/4	6/2

Actual	0.8%	0.7%	0.8%	1.0%	0.3%
Forecast	0.6%	0.7%	0.7%	0.5%	0.3%
Previous	0.5%	0.7%	0.8%	0.9%	0.9%
Revised From	N/A	N/A	0.7%	0.8%	1.0%

Past Releases

March
4th, 2008

Actual

Forecast

Revised Form

1.0%

0.5%

0.9%

0.8%

For 4th Quarter
Provided by: Swiss Statistics

GDP y/y: 3.6% forecast: 2.8%, pr. 3.0% (r 2.9%)

The Swiss economy grew faster than expected as spending accelerated. With a stronger Swiss Franc and thus lower exports expected, growth this year will continue to be supported by domestic demand. However, this will depend on whether the economy can withstand what Warren Buffet calls essentially a recession in the US. According to Bloomberg, earnings at UBS AG and Credit Suisse will take a hit from the global slowdown and will be another drag to growth.

November
30th, 2007

Actual

Forecast

Revised Form

0.8%

0.7%

0.8%

0.7%

For 3rd Quarter.

GDP y/y: 2.9%, forecast 2.6%, pr. 2.8%.

September
4th, 2007

Actual

Forecast

Revised Form

0.7%

N/A

The Swiss economy expanded at 0.7% in the second quarter and grew 2.8% on an annual basis. Growth this quarter was driven by higher consumer spending (+0.5%), investment (+2.6%) in software and equipment as well as a favorable trade balance.

May
31st, 2007

Actual

Forecast

Revised Form

0.8%

0.6%

0.5%

N/A