Category: Domestic Market

The Case: The energy crisis is continuing to intensify, contributing to rising inflation in Switzerland. The Commentary: Even though prices in Switzerland are soaring less than in many other countries, several factors help explain this relative stability: The strength of the Swiss franc, comparatively low energy consumption as well as…

The Case: The Swiss cross may soon appear on far more products, even those that were not made in Switzerland. The Commentary: Running shoemaker On has been given the green light to use the Swiss national symbol, despite manufacturing its products in Asia. The decision follows a shift by the…

The Case: Egyptian investor Samih Sawiris intends to develop 28 luxury villas at the Reussen Resort in Andermatt. The Commentary: One villa, Villa Behr, owned by Schaffhausen-based entrepreneur Giorgio Behr, was completed several years ago.

The Case: Switzerland is faced with a record level of vacant office space. The Commentary: According to experts, around 3.17 million square metres of office space were advertised as vacant on 1 October 2025, which amounts to about 9 % more than a year previously.

The Case: The European Union is often perceived as an economic underperformer, especially when compared with the United States. It seems that this perception is particularly widespread in Switzerland. The Commentary: This perception is somewhat misleading; the weak performance primarily reflects the sluggish development of our immediate neighboring economies rather…

The Case: A legislative amendment was adopted by the Parliament of the Canton of Ticino, introducing an extraordinary adjustment of the fiscal value of real estate, with tax effects as of 1 January 2026. The Commentary: The Cantonal Parliament has enacted a legislative decree providing for an extraordinary increase in…

The Case: The M&A market for Swiss small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) made a solid bounce back in 2025. The Commentary: According to Deloitte, 208 mergers and acquisitions were completed, which indicates a growth of 16 % year-on-year. For the first time more than half of these transactions involved foreign…

The Case: Family-owned bakery company Hug reported record sales of CHF 136 million in 2025, i.e. up 4 % compared to 2024. The Commentary: Growth was driven by a strong demand for Hug’s Wernli Biscuits and Dar-Vida brands as well as solid performance in export markets. At the same time,…

The Case: Swiss electric meter manufacturer Landis+Gyr has relocated the majority of its operational management team to Atlanta in the United States. The Commentary: CEO Peter Mainz, who lives in the USA, said the relocation would improve customer proximity and operational efficiency. The company’s headquarters remain in Switzerland, preserving existing…

The Case: EFG International AG (EFG hereafter) has entered into an agreement to acquire 100 % of the share capital of Quilvest (Switzerland) Ltd., a Zurich-based private bank, from its current shareholders. The Commentary: The transaction was announced at the end of January 2026.

The Case: Swiss agriculture is currently grappling with overproduction. The Commentary: This issue is particularly pronounced in the dairy sector and pork sector, where rising production volumes have been exerting their downward pressure on prices, which, in turn, resulted in reduced incomes and emergency exports. Stocks of potatoes and wine…

The Case: Nicolas Hayek steered Switzerland out of the watchmaking crisis with Swatch, which also marked a pivotal moment in the history of the Swiss quartz watch. The Commentary: Today, a glance at the wrists of younger people reveals a striking shift in attitudes. Quartz watches, including digital models, are…