207 stories mentioning Swiss Market Index (SMI)Updated just now
The Swiss Market Index ended little changed after a preliminary US-Iran deal; Zurich Insurance rose and Swiss consumer confidence slightly improved.
Switzerland's monthly producer and import price index ticked up 0.2% in March, after a 0.3% decline in February, data from the country's Federal Statistical Office showed Tuesday.Analysts expected 0.5% growth for the month, according to Investing.com data.On a yearly basis, Swiss producer and import prices were 2.7% lower, unchanged from the prior month.
The Swiss Market Index returned to the negative territory on Wednesday, closing 0.38% lower, amid news of a possible resumption of peace talks between the US and Iran."Markets have grown more confident that the Middle East crisis is moving toward a resolution, with the US and Iran arranging a second round of talks, and Tehran seemingly willing to halt shipments to avoid testing the US naval blockade," analysts at ING said. "Given how unsuccessful the first round of negotiations was last weekend, these dollar levels seem to embed a fair amount of premature optimism."At home, Switzerland's Federal Council launched a consultation on revisions to certain regulations in the energy sector, including the Electricity Supply Ordinance and Nuclear Energy Liability Ordinance. The consultation is set to run until July 15.On the corporate front, Deutsche Bank Research lifted its price target for Comet (COTN.SW) to 370 francs from 300 francs, with a buy rating on the stock, noting the Swiss technology company's robust order intake in the first quarter and "very strong" momentum in its X-ray division. The stock added 1.98% at closing."In our view, this marks the start of the semi upcycle at Comet in PCT, with order strength to continue into Q2 (DBe: +9% qoq) & H2-26 (as indicated at VAT) driven by an inventory restocking cycle at OEMs," the research firm said. "Whilst Comet likely has outsized market share (vs at Western OEMs) with its main US-based peers (AEIS, MKS, etc) remaining restricted - recent MATCH Act noise (which aims to harmonize export controls across allies of the USA) should be monitored closely in this regard as a potential downside risk. We remain very constructive however - with FX headwinds reducing significantly from Q2-26, whilst Comet should also provide positive updates on Synertia & the CA20 in H2-26, where we believe momentum has been building over the past 6 months."Helvetia Baloise (HBAN.SW) also saw its shares rise 0.93% as it reported a year-over-year increase in 2025 insurance revenue, while IFRS net income jumped 14.4% to 574.7 million francs. The Swiss insurance group also set new financial targets for 2028, including a 10% to 12% annual growth in underlying EPS.
The blue-chip Swiss Market Index bounced back on Tuesday, closing 0.94% higher, as investors digest the latest economy-related and corporate releases while keeping an eye on geopolitical developments.On the macroeconomic front, the International Monetary Fund lowered its 2026 global growth forecast to 3.1% in its April World Economic Outlook report, down by 0.2 percentage point from its previous estimate, under the assumption that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East remains limited in duration and scope. For 2027, the global growth is still expected to stand at 3.2%.For the euro area, the economic growth projections for 2026 and 2027 were both trimmed by 0.2 pp to 1.1% and 1.2%, respectively, while the estimates for the UK were cut by 0.5 pp and 0.2 pp to 0.8% and 1.3%.Back home, Swiss President Guy Parmelin and Federal Councilor Karin Keller-Sutter are set to attend the 2026 IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings and G20 finance ministers meeting in the US this week, according to Switzerland's Federal Council. Swiss National Bank (SNBN.SW) Governing Board Chairman Martin Schlegel will also be part of the delegation."The Spring Meetings will focus on global economic and development policy challenges. In the current environment of geopolitical conflicts and trade tensions, it is particularly important for Switzerland to advocate reliable economic relations and open markets in multilateral bodies and bilateral contacts. Healthy public finances, price stability and a robust global monetary and financial system are also crucial for a resilient economy and lasting prosperity," the government said.Over to corporates, Sika (SIKA.SW) reported a 7% year-over-year drop in first-quarter net sales to 2.49 billion francs. The result was dented by a foreign currency impact of 213 million francs, which the Swiss specialty chemicals group mainly attributed to the franc's strength against Asian currencies and the US dollar. For full-year 2026, the company reaffirmed its sales growth guidance of between 1% and 4% in local currencies. The stock gained 7.94% at closing.PolyPeptide Group (PPGN.SW) also saw its shares rise 4.46% after disclosing that it is at an early stage of reviewing potential strategic options to further improve its long-term value for shareholders. Amid market chatter that it drew takeover interest from certain investors, the Swiss contract development and manufacturing organization noted that it has yet to decide on the review.
The Swiss Market Index welcomed the new trading week on a bleak note, closing 0.28% in the red on Monday, as the US prepares for a naval blockade of ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz after peace talks between the US and Iran collapsed over the weekend."That US-Iran peace talks failed to deliver a sustainable ceasefire should perhaps not come as a surprise. And while a US naval blockade will push oil higher, that is a better outcome for the global economy than a renewed assault on energy infrastructure in the region," analysts at ING said.Switzerland's economic calendar was empty for the day, while the release of the country's producer and import prices is on the agenda this week. Market watchers are also awaiting the International Monetary Fund's latest World Economic Outlook report.On the corporate front, Burkhalter (BRKN.SW) gained 3.20% as it reported a year-over-year increase in 2025 group profit to 61.3 million francs from 57.2 million francs, while EPS jumped 7.2% to 5.78 francs and sales up 1.8% to 1.21 billion francs. Looking forward, the Swiss building technology services provider expects EPS to "moderately" rise in 2026 compared with the previous year.Meanwhile, Deutsche Bank Research resumed its coverage of Holcim (HOLN.SW) with a buy rating and a price target of 85 francs, after a period of restriction as a result of the Swiss building materials company's purchase of a majority stake in Peruvian peer Cementos Pacasmayo. Holcim's stock was down 0.66% at closing."Holcim provides exposure to Europe (notably France and the UK), Latam (Mexico, Colombia, Peru) and AMEA (including Australia). CEO Miljan Gutovic has steered the group through an intense period of portfolio rotation: the spin-off of North American assets (Amrize), significant M&A (Xella and Cementos Pacasmayo in; Nigeria out) and ongoing geopolitical events," the research firm said in a note.
The blue-chip Swiss Market Index closed 0.18% in the green on Friday, as investors assess the latest economy-related developments amid cautious optimism over peace talks between the US and Iran set to take place this weekend.The KOF Swiss Economic Institute's global economic barometers diverged in April, with the coincident barometer declining 0.2 point to 102.1 points and the leading barometer rising 1.7 points to 102.9 points."Although the war against Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz dominated the headlines in March, the movements in the two global indicators were relatively modest. Both indicators remain slightly above average," KOF director Jan-Egbert Sturm said. "For now, it seems that survey participants think this war will be temporary and largely regional, and therefore will not affect their economic situation too much."On the tariffs front, Switzerland is looking to finalize a trade agreement with the US by July-end, with the Swiss government reportedly expecting to continue talks with a third round of negotiations this April, Bloomberg News reported, citing unnamed sources.Meanwhile, government data showed that the Swiss consumer sentiment index fell to -42.9 points in March from -30.4 points in February. In the previous year, the index came in at -34.8 points. The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs said the separate indices for economic and financial outlooks and the moment to make major purchases deteriorated year over year, while the indicator for past financial situation barely changed.Over to corporates, Bossard (BOSN.SW) reported a year-over-year increase in first-quarter group net sales to 284.9 million francs from 283.3 million francs. The Swiss industrial fastening and assembly technology company said it remains committed to its medium-term financial targets despite the current market volatility and expectations of a subdued level of economic demand in the first half of 2026. The stock jumped 6.48% at closing.UBS Group (UBSG.SW) also saw its shares gain 0.96% after Switzerland's Federal Criminal Court dismissed a money-laundering case against it related to loans granted by Credit Suisse to Mozambique state-owned companies. The court ruled that there is no transfer of criminal liability to UBS, which acquired Credit Suisse in 2023.
The KOF Swiss Economic Institute's global economic barometers diverged in April but remained slightly above the 100-point level, indicating continued "moderate" economic growth across the world, despite the uncertainties created by the US/Israel-Iran war.The coincident global barometer declined 0.2 point to 102.1 points, while the leading barometer rose 1.7 points to 102.9 points, according to a Friday release.The decrease in the coincident barometer was mainly due to negative contributions from Europe and the Asia, Pacific & Africa region. On the other hand, the increase in the leading barometer was largely attributed to positive contributions from the Western Hemisphere and the Asia, Pacific & Africa region.
The Swiss Market Index staged a last-minute recovery on Thursday, ending the trading session 0.35% higher, amid growing uncertainty over the fragile two-week US-Iran ceasefire deal."We doubt that a modest further decline in energy prices alone would be enough to push [European Central Bank] pricing below 50bp. Rate cycles at the ECB are typically framed around two 25bp moves or nothing at all, meaning a material dovish shift would likely require explicit guidance rather than just lower oil prices," ING said in a note. "With no permanent ceasefire in place and uncertainty around oil flows persisting, the ECB is unlikely to rush towards a decisively dovish narrative."In the US, the annual PCE price index rose 2.8% year over year in February, unchanged from the previous month, according to data from the country's Bureau of Economic Analysis. The annual core PCE inflation rate edged down to 3% from the prior month's 3.1%.Back home and on the corporate front, Landis+Gyr Group (LAND.SW) completed the divestment of its Europe, Middle East and Africa business to Aurelius. The proceeds from the sale are intended to be returned to the Swiss energy technology group's shareholders through its ongoing share buyback program. Landis+Gyr shares closed the session 0.38% in the green.Deutsche Bank Research lowered its price target for SoftwareOne (SWON.SW) to 7.55 francs from 8.40 francs, with a hold rating on the stock, as it noted the Swiss software and cloud technology company's like-for-like growth in the fourth quarter of 2025 showing "clear" momentum toward a stronger exit rate. The stock shed 3.48% at closing."This rebound follows a weak start to 2025, with earlier Microsoft incentive headwinds now largely annualized, supported by regional stabilization and ahead-of-plan synergy realization," the research firm said. "Management targets mid-single-digit lfl revenue growth at cc and an adj. EBITDA margin above 23% for FY26, which we view as achievable due to easy comps and improved geographies. Our model forecasts 6.5% cc y/y revenue growth and 23.1% adj. EBITDA margin."
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