SWITZERLAND

摘要

1. First quarter GDP growth slowed to 0.3% (q-o-q) from 0.9% in the previous three quarters. The rate of expansion was the slowest since Q3 2004 and GDP growth forecasts have edged lower as a result. Private consumption and investment expectations have also been cut following modest increases in Q1. 2.Consumer price inflation rose sharply in May to 2.9% (y-o-y), from 2.3% in April, as energy and food prices surged. In response, our panel's consensus forecast for inflation in 2008 has jumped from 1.9% to 2.3%, while prospects of the central bank raising interest rates have increased.