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The Switzerland market started off on a weak note on Monday, but recovered swiftly and then stayed firm right through the day’s session to eventually close modestly higher.<\/p>\n
The mood remained cautious with investors awaiting a slew of economic data, including monetary policy announcements from the Federal Reserve and Bank of England, and U.S. jobs data for the month of January.<\/p>\n
On the Swiss economic front, Swiss KOF economic barometer score, retail sales data, reports on manufacturing activity and consumer confidence are all due during the course of this week.<\/p>\n
The benchmark SMI ended with a gain of 39.70 points or 0.35% at 11,429.83.<\/p>\n
Holcim climbed 4.7% after the company announced plans to spin off its North American operations in a flotation. <\/p>\n
Lonza Group gained 2.62%, and Givaudan advanced about 1.3%. Nestle gained nearly 1%, and Kuehne & Nagel ended 0.72% up. ABB and Novartis posted modest gains.<\/p>\n
Alcon drifted down nearly 2%. Logitech International ended 1.43% down, while Swisscom, Sonova, Geberit, Sika and UBS Group closed lower by 0.5 to 0.8%.<\/p>\n
Among other stocks in the Midcap Index, Meyer Burger Tech soared nearly 11%. Sandoz, Straumann Holding, Schindler Ps and Schindler Holding gained 0.7 to 1%.<\/p>\n
Tecan Group and SGS ended lower by 2.7% and 2.5%, respectively. Adecco, Avolta, Julius Baer and ams OSRAM AG lost 1 to 1.6%. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Market Analysis<\/p>\n<\/div>\n