Swiss Economy Grows More Than Expected Defying Factory Downturn - BNN Bloomberg | Canada News Media
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Swiss Economy Grows More Than Expected Defying Factory Downturn – BNN Bloomberg

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(Bloomberg) — Swiss growth unexpectedly maintained momentum at the end of last year, even as manufacturing continued to weigh on the economy.

Gross domestic product, adjusted for large sports events, rose 0.3% in the fourth quarter, according to data published on Thursday. That expansion, which matches the pace of the previous three month, was stronger than the 0.1% increase predicted in a Bloomberg survey. 

In 2023 as a whole, the economy grew by 1.3%, beating expectations of 0.7%.

“Following a positive previous quarter, value added in manufacturing dipped somewhat, driven by the chemical and pharmaceutical industry falling into negative territory on the back of declining exports,” said the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, which compiles the data. “The other industrial sectors, however, grew again following two negative quarters.”

The numbers mean that Switzerland, like many of its European peers, saw just one quarter of contraction last year. 

Weak global demand, exacerbated by a strong franc, also weighed on Swiss manufacturing, but problems there are being offset by services, especially the booming tourism sector. Economists predict that GDP will continue to grow in coming quarters.

“Firms have become more confident about their expectations for business trends over the next six months,” Zurich’s KOF economic research center said in its latest economic forecast. “The outlook is more positive than it was before – particularly in manufacturing.”

Further momentum could come from the Swiss National Bank, which is expected to start cutting interest rates later this year, though analysts don’t yet see a move at its next scheduled meeting in March.

–With assistance from Kristian Siedenburg, Joel Rinneby and Harumi Ichikura.

©2024 Bloomberg L.P.

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S&P/TSX composite gains almost 100 points, U.S. stock markets also higher

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TORONTO – Strength in the base metal and technology sectors helped Canada’s main stock index gain almost 100 points on Friday, while U.S. stock markets also climbed higher.

The S&P/TSX composite index closed up 93.51 points at 23,568.65.

In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 297.01 points at 41,393.78. The S&P 500 index was up 30.26 points at 5,626.02, while the Nasdaq composite was up 114.30 points at 17,683.98.

The Canadian dollar traded for 73.61 cents US compared with 73.58 cents US on Thursday.

The October crude oil contract was down 32 cents at US$68.65 per barrel and the October natural gas contract was down five cents at US$2.31 per mmBTU.

The December gold contract was up US$30.10 at US$2,610.70 an ounce and the December copper contract was up four cents US$4.24 a pound.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.

Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD)

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Economy

Statistics Canada reports wholesale sales higher in July

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OTTAWA – Statistics Canada says wholesale sales, excluding petroleum, petroleum products, and other hydrocarbons and excluding oilseed and grain, rose 0.4 per cent to $82.7 billion in July.

The increase came as sales in the miscellaneous subsector gained three per cent to reach $10.5 billion in July, helped by strength in the agriculture supplies industry group, which rose 9.2 per cent.

The food, beverage and tobacco subsector added 1.7 per cent to total $15 billion in July.

The personal and household goods subsector fell 2.5 per cent to $12.1 billion.

In volume terms, overall wholesale sales rose 0.5 per cent in July.

Statistics Canada started including oilseed and grain as well as the petroleum and petroleum products subsector as part of wholesale trade last year, but is excluding the data from monthly analysis until there is enough historical data.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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S&P/TSX composite up more than 150 points, U.S. stock markets mixed

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TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was up more than 150 points in late-morning trading, helped by strength in the base metal and energy sectors, while U.S. stock markets were mixed.

The S&P/TSX composite index was up 172.18 points at 23,383.35.

In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 34.99 points at 40,826.72. The S&P 500 index was up 10.56 points at 5,564.69, while the Nasdaq composite was up 74.84 points at 17,470.37.

The Canadian dollar traded for 73.55 cents US compared with 73.59 cents US on Wednesday.

The October crude oil contract was up $2.00 at US$69.31 per barrel and the October natural gas contract was up five cents at US$2.32 per mmBTU.

The December gold contract was up US$40.00 at US$2,582.40 an ounce and the December copper contract was up six cents at US$4.20 a pound.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2024.

Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD)

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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