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Asia Markets

Swiss Equities Slip as Renewed Middle East Tensions Rattle Markets

Swiss shares dropped alongside European peers on Thursday, with the Swiss Market Index closing 0.90% lower, as a fresh escalation in tensions between the US and Iran weighed on investor sentiment.US forces struck down Iranian drones in a fresh bout of fighting along the Strait of Hormuz, prompting retaliation from Tehran despite a ceasefire agreement remaining in place. US President Donald Trump said earlier that the strait is "going to be open to everybody" and suggested that the military "go back and finish it."Among the biggest decliners in the blue-chip index were Partners Group (PGHN.SW), Swiss Life (SLHN.SW) and Alcon (ALC.SW), which fell 2.46%, 2.41% and 1.97%, respectively.Meanwhile, Galenica (GALE.SW) reported sales growth of 7.3% to 1.41 billion francs in the first four months of 2026, driven by strong performance in its pharmacy and wholesale businesses. The company confirmed its 2026 guidance, including sales growth of 5% to 7%. The stock was down 0.66% at close.On the economic data front, data from the Federal Statistical Office showed nonfarm payrolls growing 0.5% annually in the first quarter, compared with a 0.2% uptick in the previous three months.KOF leading indicators are scheduled for release on Friday.

^SSMI$ALC.SW$GALE.SW$PGHN.SW$SLHN.SW
Asia Markets

Swiss Market Index Closes Higher; SoftwareOne Shares Jump

Swiss stocks were in positive territory on Tuesday, with the Swiss Market Index up 0.14% at the end of the trading day, amid a slew of economic data and corporate earnings releases that hit the market.Switzerland's producer and import price index rose 0.8% month over month in April and fell 2% on a yearly basis to 100.5 points, according to data from the Federal Statistical Office.In the euro area, the ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment for the bloc improved to -9.1 points in May from -20.4 points in April. Across the pond, the annual inflation rate in the US climbed to 3.8% in April from 3.3% a month earlier, while the annual core inflation rate rose to 2.8% from 2.6% previously.On the corporate front, SoftwareOne (SWON.SW) shares closed the session 9.30% higher as it booked a year-over-year surge in first-quarter revenue to 387.7 million francs from 231.6 million francs, with the integration of acquired company Crayon progressing as planned. Looking ahead, the Swiss software and cloud technology group raised its revenue growth guidance for 2026 to the mid- to high-single digits from the mid-single digits, at constant currency and on a combined like-for-like basis.Laboratory instruments company Tecan Group (TECN.SW) and real estate group PSP Swiss Property (PSPN.SW) also published financial updates.Meanwhile, Deutsche Bank Research reduced its price target for Alcon (ALC.SW) to 70 francs from 77 francs, with a buy rating on the stock, noting that the investment case for the Swiss eye care products group is still intact after "solid" first-quarter results. The stock was 2.89% in the green at closing."Although the top line did not meet buy-side expectations, the performance should be sufficient to deliver on full-year guidance ... The company also initiated a new $1.5 billion share buyback program, and its many recent product launches are ramping up well, set to contribute more meaningfully in the coming quarters. Consequently, we view the harsh share price reaction following the results as overdone," the research firm said. "While it may take some time for market sentiment to settle, we expect the stock to recover, and our reduced target price still offers 40% upside potential."

^SSMI$ALC.SW$PSPN.SW$SWON.SW$TECN.SW
Asia Markets

Swiss Market Index Rallies; Alcon, Logitech Shares Fall

The Swiss Market Index remained in the green on Wednesday, closing 1.77% higher, amid renewed hopes that the war in the Middle East will soon end.The US and Iran are said to be close to reaching an agreement on a one-page, 14-point memorandum of understanding to end the war, multiple media outlets including Axios and Reuters reported, citing sources. Meanwhile, in a post on the Truth Social platform, US President Donald Trump said if Iran "agrees to give what has been agreed to," the war and blockade will end, warning that the bombing would start "at a much higher level and intensity than it was before" if an agreement is not reached.Back home, Switzerland's private sector saw an improvement in April, with the KOF Business Situation Indicator rising to 18.3 from 16.6 in the previous month."The Business Situation Indicator for the manufacturing sector has fully recovered from its decline in March. The indicator is rising even more sharply in the project engineering sector and, more moderately, in the wholesale trade. Other services and the retail trade are also showing modest upturns," the KOF Swiss Economic Institute said. "However, the business outlook for the next six months is generally becoming more subdued - particularly in the hospitality sector, the wholesale trade and manufacturing."Over to corporates, Logitech International (LOGN.SW) fiscal 2026 net income rose on a yearly basis to $711.2 million, compared with $631.5 million, while net sales grew to $4.84 billion from $4.55 billion. The Swiss computer peripherals and software company's shares were down 0.40% at the end of the trading session.Swiss eye care products group Alcon (ALC.SW) also saw its shares fall 10.96% at closing as first-quarter net income plunged year over year to $189 million from $350 million. Operating income dropped 38% to $292 million, dented by costs associated with efficiency initiatives, impairment charges related to an intangible asset, and incremental tariffs. Net sales, on the other hand, increased over the period."Despite having a dominant position in its target markets, Alcon's investment case hinges on margin expansion, which entails execution risks. The ophthalmology market growth, though sticky to a material extent, remains capped at around a mid-single digit percentage. As a result, we expect Alcon to chase inorganic growth in the quarters/years ahead, especially considering the termination of proposed acquisition of STAAR Surgical in January 2026," analysts at AlphaValue/Baader Europe said in a note. "While we currently have a 12% upside on Alcon, one may want to wait for more of a correction in the share price for lucrative returns."

^SSMI$ALC.SW$LOGN.SW
Asia Markets

Swiss Stocks Down Amid Looming US-Iran Ceasefire Deadline

The Swiss Market Index remained in negative territory on Tuesday, closing 1.13% lower, reflecting cautious market sentiment amid uncertainty over the outcome of the second round of US-Iran peace talks."Investors continue to take a bullish view of events. Although not confirmed, Iranian negotiators are expected to travel to Pakistan to engage in peace talks with the US later today or early tomorrow. As is his way, President Trump continues to threaten a binary outcome - deal or destruction - after tomorrow's ceasefire expires," ING analysts said. "For the time being, the market seems happy to sit pro-risk on the view that the ceasefire will at least be extended."In local economic news, Switzerland's trade surplus stood at 11.10 billion francs in the first quarter of 2026, down from 11.26 billion francs in the prior three-month period, data from the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security showed. Seasonally adjusted exports fell 4.2%, marking the lowest level since the third quarter of 2021, while imports decreased 4.7%.On the watchmaking front, the country's watch exports declined 1% annually to 2.11 billion francs in March, according to the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry.Over to corporates, the US Food and Drug Administration accepted Roche's (RO.SW) supplemental biologics license application for its monoclonal antibody Gazyva/Gazyvaro for treating systemic lupus erythematosus. The Swiss pharmaceutical giant expects the regulator to decide on the approval by December. The stock was down 1.21% at closing.Meanwhile, RBC Capital Markets reiterated Alcon's (ALC.SW) outperform rating and price target of 80 francs, noting a "positive set up" into the Swiss eye products company's first-quarter results set for release in May. Alcon's shares closed the trading session 1.15% in the red."We expect results-day volatility to continue, driven by: 1) commentary around market growth (implication for 2026 guidance); 2) Equipment growth performance (Unity roll out); and 3) Implantables growth performance (market share dynamics), but at a lower level vs historical given the conservativism of FY2026 guidance," the research firm said in a note. "Although we continue to see potential upside to FY2026 guidance, driven by an accelerating surgical (cataract) market, we expect the company to reiterate guidance at Q1 results."

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