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Swiss Market Index Snaps Gains; ABB Shares Down

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The Swiss Market Index broke its four-day winning streak on Friday to close 0.42% lower, joining a regional retreat in Europe amid renewed concerns about whether the interim US-Iran peace deal will hold.

"The market mood was also partially disrupted by news that a cargo ship was hit by unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, which also followed reports of some ships turning around while attempting to cross the strait. So that led to some renewed uncertainty over the normalization of shipping, after the number of vessels going through the strait had risen in recent days," said analysts at Deutsche Bank Research.

Back home, Switzerland's economic news calendar was empty for the day, while the upcoming week will see the release of KOF leading indicators, May retail sales figures, as well as the manufacturing PMI and inflation rate data for June.

On the corporate side, ABB (ABBN.SW) agreed to purchase Norway-based marine automation specialist Høglund for an undisclosed sum, with the deal expected to be completed in the third quarter. Høglund will be integrated into the Swiss electrification and automation company's marine and ports division. ABB's shares closed the trading session 2.54% in the red.

"Høglund's marine automation portfolio will complement ABB's existing offering with proven and scalable solutions that support our growth ambitions," said Rune Braastad, president of ABB's marine and ports division. "Combined with our global reach and service capabilities, we have a great foundation for continued success."

Meanwhile, Novartis (NOVN.SW) secured a positive recommendation from the European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use to extend the existing indication for Novartis Europharm's Leqvio medication to include patients aged 12 and above with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. At closing, the Swiss drugmaker's stock was up 0.22%.

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^SSMI$DOCM.SW$UBSG.SW
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