-- 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.