The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) released its gross domestic product (GDP) data for Switzerland on Wednesday. Switzerland's GDP rose 0.4% in the fourth quarter, exceeding expectations for a 0.2% rise, after a 0.1% decrease in the third quarter. The third quarter's figure was revised down from a flat reading.

GDP was driven by a positive contribution from household and public spending.

Exports of goods climbed 2.9% in the fourth quarter, while exports of services decreased 3.2%.

Imports of goods climbed 4.2% in the fourth quarter, while imports of services were down 0.3%.

Household spending climbed by 0.1% in the fourth quarter, public spending was up 0.6%, equipment spending slid 0.9%, while construction spending increased 0.1%.

On a yearly basis, Switzerland's economy grew at 0.4% in the fourth quarter, exceeding expectations for a 0.1% rise, after a 0.8% increase in the third quarter.

In 2015 as whole, the Swiss economy expanded 0.9%, after a 1.9% growth in 2014.