The KOF Economic Barometer drops considerably in January. For the first time since July last year, it falls below its long-​term average. After reaching an interim pandemic high in September, COVID-​19 is now weighing more heavily on the economy again. The pandemic is causing gloomy economic prospects at the beginning of the year.The KOF Economic Barometer drops to 96.5 points in January and thus below its long-​term average of 100. This is a decline of 7.6 points compared to the previous month. In December, the barometer still stood at 104.1 points (revised from 104.3) and thus above average. Responsible for ... (full story)