-- 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.