FX.co ★ Switzerland Factory Activity Contracts Sharply, Defying Expectations

The Swiss procure.ch PMI dropped to 48.9 in March 2025, down from 49.6 in February, falling short of market forecasts which anticipated a figure of 50.5. This marks the 27th consecutive month the index has remained below the critical 50-point level indicating economic expansion. According to the report, more than half of the industrial companies surveyed anticipate a rise in protectionist measures over the coming year. There were declines observed in several areas: production fell by 0.9 to 48.4, purchasing volume decreased by 2.4 to 45.2, employment dropped by 1.5 to 47.8, inventories were down by 3.2 to 44, sales stocks declined by 1.4 to 46.6, and purchasing prices decreased by 2.3 to 50.6. Conversely, the orderbook saw a slight increase, rising by 0.4 to reach 50.1.