The negative value means there are still more economists predicting deterioration of the Swiss economy than ones expecting an improvement. But the jump means fewer now expect it to deteriorate. "Over 70 percent of the participants expect the economic momentum to remain broadly unchanged over the next six months," the survey's authors said in a statement.
The Swiss economy grew at a faster-than-expected 0.6 percent in the third quarter after a 0.1 percent contraction in the previous three months. The Swiss National Bank, which holds its quarterly monetary policy meeting on Thursday, is expected to reiterate its commitment to keep a lid on the safe-haven franc, which it capped at 1.20 per euro in 2011 to prevent a recession.
A Reuters poll predicts the SNB will also keep its target range for the Swiss franc LIBOR, its benchmark interest rate, at 0 to 0.25 percent. The analysts surveyed by the ZEW and Credit Suisse showed 97.8 percent see short-term interest rates remaining at very low levels, although 44.5 percent expect long-term Swiss rates to increase over the next six months.