FX.co ★ Switzerland's ZEW Expectations Tumble into Negative Territory in January

In a surprising downturn, Switzerland's economic sentiment took a sharp dive as the ZEW Expectations index fell into the negative zone for the first time in recent months. As of January 2026, the indicator plummeted to -4.7, a stark contrast to the previous estimate of 6.2 recorded in December 2025. This disquieting update was released on January 28, 2026.

The decline from December’s positive terrain reflects growing anxiety among investors and analysts about Switzerland’s economic outlook. Various factors, likely including global economic pressures and internal market fluctuations, have possibly contributed to this shift in sentiment.

The movement in the ZEW Expectations index is significant, indicating heightened caution and pessimism among economic stakeholders about Switzerland's future economic performance. This negative swing underscores the need for businesses and policymakers to keenly observe economic indicators and prepare appropriately to navigate future challenges. Keeping a close watch on subsequent updates will be crucial for insights into whether this slide will continue or stabilize in the coming months.