Swiss inflation slowed to the weakest in more than four years (0% in April) as the strong franc drives down the costs of imported goods. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox Annual consumer-price growth was zero in April, Switzerland’s statistics office said on Monday. That’s down from 0.3% in March and weaker than predicted by all but one analyst in a Bloomberg survey of economists. Inflation was pushed down by hotels and holiday accommodation, while clothing and vegetables were a driver, according to the government agency. + How the strong franc spared Switzterland excessive inflation The core gauge - which excludes fresh and seasonal products as well as energy - also slowed more than anticipated, dropping to 0.6%. The slowdown was due to imported goods - particularly energy and fuels - dragging the gauge down, according to Arthur Jurus, an economist at Oddo BHF. The only major source of structural consumer-price growth was residential rents, he added ...
