Swiss leading economic indicator edges lower

Zurich

SWITZERLAND'S leading economic indicator edged lower in January, a survey showed on Friday, though the reading doesn't yet reflect fallout from a surging Swiss franc after the Swiss central bank abandoned a cap on currency.

The KOF Economic Barometer, which gives an indication of the likely performance of the economy in about six months' time, fell to 97 points in January from a revised 98.8 points in December. That was below analysts' expectations for a reading of 97.5 and below the long-term average of 100 points.