Upbeat Economic Growth Forecasts Boost Swiss Stocks

11:54 AM EST, 12/15/2025 (MT Newswires) -- The Swiss Market Index closed 1.16% in the green on Monday as investors gear up for a hectic week filled with business surveys, economic data releases and key monetary policy rate moves. The Federal Government Expert Group on Business Cycles upwardly revised its sporting events-adjusted gross domestic product growth estimate for Switzerland to 1.1% in 2026 from the previous forecast of 0.9%, after the US lowered its tariff rate on Switzerland to 15% from 39%. Swiss economic growth is also projected to normalize at 1.7% in 2027. For 2025, the estimated GDP growth was bumped up to 1.4% from 1.3%. "The reduction in US tariffs on Swiss products has strengthened the outlook and planning certainty for directly affected sectors and companies. This forecast is based on the technical assumption that international tariffs will remain at current levels and that the trade conflict will not escalate again. Nonetheless, global uncertainty surrounding trade and economic policy remains elevated and the Swiss franc continues to be highly valued," the expert group said, noting that further upward pressure on the franc is anticipated should any of the economic and geopolitical risks materialize. The KOF Institute echoed the group's sentiment, also adjusting up its real GDP sport-adjusted growth forecast for Switzerland to 1.1% in 2026 from the previous 0.9% projection. In 2027, the GDP is projected to expand by 1.7%, up from the prior expectation of 1.6%. Meanwhile, the country's producer and import price index declined by 0.5% month over month in November and by 1.6% on an annual basis to 104.6 points, according to the Federal Statistical Office. In corporate news, Sika (SIKA.SW) is bolstering its geographic footprint in the Nordic region by agreeing to purchase Swedish mortar company Finja as part of its expansion plans, with the deal expected to complete in the first quarter of 2026. The Swiss specialty chemicals group's stock was up 1.75% at closing. Huber+Suhner (HUBN.SW), on the other hand, saw its shares tumble 6.49% after disclosing that it now expects full-year 2025 net sales to be 3% lower than the level recorded a year before, mainly driven by currency effects. The Swiss fiber optic cable manufacturer previously guided for net sales reaching the prior-year level.