Brought to you by Investec Switzerland. Syngenta AG Chief Executive Officer Erik Fyrwald appointed a new head of finance as he works to complete a new strategic plan for the world’s largest agrochemical company, soon to be acquired by state-owned China National Chemical Corp. for $43 billion. Mark Patrick, who has been with the company […]
Cash in a box catches on as Swiss negative rates bite
Brought to you by Investec Switzerland. It’s a sign the world is getting used to negative interest rates when what once seemed bizarre starts looking like the norm. Consider Switzerland, where more and more companies are taking out insurance policies to protect their cash hoards from theft or damage. “Because of the low interest rate […]
Swiss banks cut 4.1% of local jobs in first half as profit falls
Brought to you by Investec Switzerland. Banks in Switzerland reduced their domestic workforce by 4.1 percent in the first half as companies combined and made cost cuts to stem declining profitability, a survey by the nation’s main bank association showed. The loss totals 3,454 jobs, the Swiss Bankers Association said in its annual industry report […]
European and Swiss stocks higher on bank rally
2 September 2016 – Swiss and global market roundup. Brought to you by Investec Switzerland. The Swiss Market Index, along with other European markets, is trading slightly higher this week after financials rallied on merger and acquisition rumors and hopes for improved growth. European banks, the industry group battered the most so far this year, lead gains […]
Market round up – all eyes on Jackson Hole
26 August 2016 – Swiss and global market roundup. Brought to you by Investec Switzerland. The Swiss Market Index along with global stocks are trading flat this week ahead of Federal Reserve’s Janet Yellen’s Friday speech at the central bank’s annual Jackson Hole Summit. The Federal Chairwoman’s speech at the meeting of central bank governors in […]
Negative interest pushes Switzerland’s 2016 budget into positive territory
Switzerland’s budget for 2016 is looking better than expected. Instead of a shortfall of CHF 0.5 billion, the latest figures forecast a surplus of CHF 1.7 billion. Overall income was up CHF 1.2 billion and costs were down CHF 1.0 billion. This CHF 2.2 billion shift took the annual forecast from CHF -0.5 billion to CHF […]
Britain’s Brexit binge on Swiss watches
Brought to you by Investec Switzerland. The pendulum for Britain has swung back to positive, and it’s tourists who’ve pushed it there. Britain was one of the few bright spots for Swiss watch exports in July, rising 13.4 percent from a year earlier and counteracting a massive 26 percent drop in June, according to data […]
Swiss market lower this week as US stocks reach new record highs
19 August 2016 – Swiss and global market roundup. Brought to you by Investec Switzerland. The Swiss Market Index is set to close lower this week underperforming global equities as US stocks reached new record highs and emerging markets outperformed on a weaker dollar. The week began with some gloomy economic data after reports showed on […]
Why Switzerland’s franc is still strong in four charts
Brought to you by Investec Switzerland. Swiss National Bank President Thomas Jordan keeps saying the franc is “significantly overvalued.” And that’s despite the central bank’s record-low deposit rate and occasional currency market interventions. While the franc is typically a top choice for foreign investors looking for a safe place to park their money, anxieties about […]
UBS says Switzerland still at risk of real-estate bubble
Brought to you by Investec Switzerland. Risks to the Swiss property market remained elevated in the second quarter of 2016, with rock-bottom interest rates propping up demand for residential assets to be rented out for investment purposes. Still, UBS Group AG’s index experienced a “slight” decrease in the period, according to economists Matthias Holzhey and […]
