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Swiss Market Index Closes Higher; Julius Bär Gruppe Falls

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Swiss stocks were in the green on Tuesday's close, with the blue-chip Swiss Market Index up 0.31%, as earnings season kicks into high gear.

Novartis (NOVN.SW) booked a year-over-year rise in first-half net sales to $27.52 billion from $27.29 billion, while net income fell 16% to $6.41 billion. For full-year 2026, the Swiss pharmaceutical major reaffirmed its guidance of low single-digit net sales growth and a low single-digit decline in core operating income in constant currency, barring unforeseen events. At the end of the trading session, the stock gained 1.98%.

Meanwhile, Julius Bär Gruppe's (BAER.SW) IFRS net profit climbed to 672.6 million francs in the first half from the year-ago 295.3 million francs, with assets under management reaching an all-time high of 547 billion francs. The wealth management group's adjusted operating income also increased to 2.28 billion francs from 1.91 billion francs.

"While the H1 update provided some reassurance after the disappointing IMS update, the guidance of continued headwinds to NNM in 2027 from de-risking and the continued decline in the RM number raise some questions on the sustainability of trends which is likely to be a topic on the call. Cost control was better than expected as JB booked little restructuring costs, but there are also further cost savings to come," RBC Capital Markets said in a quick take note. Julius Bär shares shed 3.96% at closing.

Other Switzerland-listed heavyweights that reported financial results included chocolatier Lindt & Sprüngli (LISN.SW), watchmaker Swatch Group (UHR.SW), and escalators and elevators manufacturer Schindler (SCHP.SW).

On the economic front, Switzerland's trade surplus stood at 13.93 billion francs in the second quarter, up from the revised 10.81 billion francs in the prior three-month period, data from the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security showed. Seasonally adjusted exports jumped 8.8% on a nominal basis, while imports grew 4.9%.

Elsewhere, US President Donald Trump is said to be preparing to unveil new tariffs against dozens of countries as early as this week, with the 10% tariff regime currently in place set to expire Friday, people briefed on the plans told the Financial Times.

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Update: US Equity Indexes Fall, Crude Oil Rises After Trump Warns More Strikes on Iran Amid Risk to Saudi Arabian Supplies

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Update: Communication Services, Technology Help Lift Nasdaq and S&P 500; Crude Oil Mixed as Iran Ally Threatens Saudi Supply

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Asia Markets

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Dow Jones^EEM^EXI^FAS^FAZ^GLD^IBB^IGM^IGV^IPK^IVV^IWMNasdaq Composite^IYE^IYH^IYJ^IYK^IYW^PMR^QQQ^RTH^SOXXS&P 500^SPY^UNG^USO^VDC^VHT^VIS^XLE^XLF^XLI^XLK^XLP^XLV^XRT^XSD$BETH$BITO$EETH