The merchandise trade surplus narrowed in April from March's unrevised CHF4.53 billion to CHF2.60 billion and, more importantly, from the CHF4.05 billion posted in the same month in 2022. The annual deterioration reflected a 7.8 percent yearly drop in exports that easily more than offset a 1.3 percent decrease in imports.

Seasonally adjusted, the surplus stood at CHF2.22 billion, a 5-month low and following CHF3.06 billion at quarter-end. The decline here was due to a 6.8 percent monthly fall in exports that outpaced a 3.6 percent slide in imports. Most categories of exports suffered setbacks, notably chemicals and pharmaceuticals (minus 10.9 percent). Geographically, losses were also widespread with North America (minus 9.0 percent) especially weak.

With export volumes down 5.2 percent and their import counterpart only 3.3 percent lower, the real balance worsened too. This leaves net foreign merchandise trade on course to subtract from second quarter GDP growth.

The merchandise trade balance measures the difference between the total value of Swiss merchandise exports and imports. The focus is on the balance of trade in goods, excluding precious metals, gemstones, works of art and antiques. This is provided in unadjusted and seasonally adjusted measures for cash and volume.

Changes in the level of imports and exports along with the difference between the two (the trade balance) are a valuable gauge of economic trends here and abroad. While these trade figures can directly impact all financial markets, they primarily affect the value of the Swiss franc in the foreign exchange market. Switzerland's major trading partners include Germany, France, Italy and the United States. While Switzerland still exports large amounts of traditional products such as chocolate and watches, more than half of Swiss exports are in mechanical and electrical engineering and chemicals today. A positive trade balance indicates a trade surplus while a negative balance represents a trade deficit. Trade surpluses indicate that foreigners are buying more Swiss goods, which are typically paid for in Swiss Francs. This translates into greater demand for the currency and upward pressure on the value of the Franc. However, if the balance is a deficit, Swiss consumers are buying goods from trading partners which translates into higher demand for foreign currencies placing downward pressure on the value of the Franc.