Switzerland's consumer prices declined more than economists expected in March, data released by the Federal Statistical Office showed Tuesday.
The consumer price index decreased 0.6 percent on an annual basis in March, slower than the 0.5 percent decrease economists had forecast.
On a monthly basis, the consumer price index moved up 0.2 percent during the month. Economists were looking for a faster growth by 0.3 percent.
The harmonized index of consumer prices (HICP), measured under the EU methodology, decreased 0.3 percent from a year earlier. Sequentially, the HICP increased by 0.5 percent, data showed.
Separately, the agency said Switzerland's retail sales increased at a faster pace of 2.4 percent in February than 2 percent in January. Economists had forecast a 2.5 percent gain.
On a monthly basis, trade in the retail sector decreased at a slower rate of 0.3 percent in February than 0.5 percent in January.
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