The monthly consumer sentiment improved significantly in December. At minus 30, December's unadjusted headline index was an impressive 14 points higher than in December 2023 (minus 44) and November's minus 37. It was also well above its minus 39 long-run average.

The monthly rise was largely due to improved economic outlook (minus 23 from minus 36), past financial situation (minus 45 from minus 49), financial outlook (minus 25 from minus 33) and moment to make major purchases (minus 28 from minus 31).

The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) compiles a quarterly survey of consumer attitudes on present and expected economic and financial conditions. The survey covers around 1,200 Swiss households and results are synthesised into a single summary consumer climate index that attempts to measure consumer sentiment.

The pattern in consumer attitudes and spending is often a major influence on stock and bond markets. For stocks, strong economic growth translates to healthy corporate profits and higher stock prices. For bonds, the focus is whether economic growth goes overboard and leads to inflation. Ideally, the economy walks that fine line between strong growth and excessive (inflationary) growth. Consumer spending accounts for a major portion of the Swiss economy, so investors want to know what consumers are up to and how they might behave in the near future. The more confident consumers are about the economy and their own personal finances, the more likely they are to spend. An increasing important element of the survey is the question concerning current buying intentions.