Category Archive: 3) Swiss Markets and News

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Investec is a distinctive Specialist Bank and Asset Manager. We provide a diverse range of financial products and services to a niche client base in three principal markets, the United Kingdom, South Africa and Australia, as well as certain other geographies. Investec’s strategic goals are motivated by the desire to develop an efficient and integrated business on an international scale through the active pursuit of clearly established core competencies in the group’s principal business areas.
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Switzerland ‘European leader’ for e-trucks

2026-08-14

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2026-08-14

One in four new lorries registered in Switzerland is now fitted with electric transmission. This makes the Alpine state a European leader in electrified road haulage, reports L’Agefi. According to figures for the first half of 2026, zero or low-emission vehicles account for 25% of new registrations, overtaking pioneering nations in Scandinavia, the Netherlands and …

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Swiss economy grows surprisingly fast in Q2

2026-08-14

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2026-08-14

The Swiss economy grew at a surprisingly healthy rate in the second quarter of 2026, driven by the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors. In the second quarter, Switzerland’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 1.5% in real terms on a seasonally adjusted basis compared with the previous quarter, according to the preliminary estimate by the State …

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Prosecutors seek six-year jail term for ex-Swiss banker Vincenz

2026-08-14

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2026-08-14

Prosecutors have demanded a six year prison sentence without parole for the former head of Raiffeisen bank and and his ex-business partner at an appeal court hearing. Pierin Vincenz and Beat Stocker were found guilty of fraud, aggravated breach of trust and private bribery at the original trial in 2022. They were sentenced to three …

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Swiss farmers fear worse drought losses than 2003

2026-08-14

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2026-08-14

Swiss Farmers’ Union president Markus Ritter estimates that losses caused by the heatwave will be higher than the CHF500 million of 2003. Losses are certain to be higher this year as the heat and drought has affected all regions of the country, said Ritter in an interview with the CH Media group. The situation is …

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Switzerland among countries hit by US drone tariff

2026-08-14

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2026-08-14

The United States is imposing news tariffs of up to 100% on imported drones and their components. The import duty targets Chinese manufacturers in particular, as they dominate the US market. According to a White House statement, the 100% tariff applies to drones with a maximum take-off weight of more than 25 kilograms and to …

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Transport costs soar amid low water levels in Rhine

2026-08-13

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2026-08-13

The exceptionally low water level of the Rhine is causing difficulties for fuel logistics to Switzerland, with transport costs soaring from CHF22–28 ($27-34) to as much as CHF240 per tonne from Rotterdam to Basel. According to the Swiss Touring Club (TCS), this increase translates into a rise in prices at the pump of between 12 …

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Swiss pharma group warns access to new medicine is worsening

2026-08-13

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2026-08-13

Interpharma, the association of research-based pharmaceutical companies in Switzerland, believes that access to innovative medicines is worsening since the US introduced policies to lower drug prices in line with peer countries. A survey of member companies has shown that pharmaceutical manufacturers no longer consider themselves able, under the current framework, to launch new therapies in …

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Swiss voters to decide on government support for plant-based food production

2026-08-13

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2026-08-13

Switzerland should be able to produce up to 70% of its own food in the future. That is the goal of the food security initiative, which Swiss voters will decide on September 27. The initiative calls for changes to agricultural policy to encourage the production and consumption of plant-based foods instead of animal-based products. It …

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SpaceX leaves its mark on the Moon, Trump’s odyssey, and scepticism of Fed head

2026-08-12

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2026-08-12

Welcome to our press review of events in the United States. Every Wednesday we look at how the Swiss media have reported and reacted to three major stories in the US – in politics, finance and science. If there are indeed little green men and women on the Moon, they would have got a shock … Continue reading »

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Swiss government wants to rein in bank executives

2026-08-12

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2026-08-12

The Swiss government wants to hold bank executives more accountable and prevent risks arising from high bonuses. Stricter regulations on this matter have been put out for public consultation that would also force banks to be better prepared for crises. The aim is to close loopholes in the ‘too big to fail’ regulations, the Federal …

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Solar energy plugs hydro-electric shortfall in Switzerland

2026-08-12

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2026-08-12

Electricity production in Switzerland is declining because low water levels are reducing output from run-of-the-river hydropower plants. However, abundant solar power generation is helping to prevent supply bottlenecks. Unlike just a few years ago, solar power is now making a substantial contribution to Switzerland’s electricity supply. This development is largely the result of the rapid …

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Swiss retail sector grew in first half of year

2026-08-12

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2026-08-12

Swiss retail sales rose in the first half of 2026, with turnover increasing by 2.6% compared with the previous year, according to market research firm NielsenIQ (NIQ). Both main segments contributed to this positive performance. The food sector grew by 2.5%, whilst non-food slaes increased slightly faster at 2.7%. Online retail remained a key driver …

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Swiss government to reject sustainable financial centre initiative

2026-08-12

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2026-08-12

The Swiss government is set to recommend that parliament rejects a popular initiative “for a sustainable and forward-looking Swiss financial centre”, without putting forward a counter-proposal. It took this decision on Wednesday, arguing that it is already committed to “a financial centre focused on sustainability”. According to the government, Switzerland’s current legislation and policy already …

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Swiss bankruptcies rose sharply in first half of year

2026-08-12

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2026-08-12

In Switzerland, the number of corporate bankruptcies rose sharply in the first half of 2026. This increase is partly due to economic factors and partly to a change in the law. From the start of 2025, public creditors such as tax and social security authorities have been obliged to enforce outstanding claims more rigorously through …

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Swiss business backs proposed limit on federal staff costs

2026-08-12

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2026-08-12

Three major Swiss business organisations are backing a popular initiative to impose limits on federal staffing costs. The Swiss Business Federation economiesuisse, the Swiss Trade Association and the Swiss Employers’ Association are supporting the initiative, partly due to the shortage of skilled workers. The Young Liberals political group and the three business associations promoted the …

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Federer loses billionaire status as On shoes share price slumps

2026-08-12

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2026-08-12

According to US business magazine Forbes, former Swiss tennis star Roger Federer is no longer a billionaire, following a slump in the share price of the Swiss sports footwear manufacturer On. Forbes estimates that Federer’s net worth fell to around US$949 million after shares plunged in the Swiss company in which he holds a stake. …

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AI inhibits job prospects of young people, says Geneva-based ILO

2026-08-12

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2026-08-12

Artificial intelligence (AI) is making it harder for young people to land their first job, according to the Geneva-based International Labour Organisation (ILO). Weak economic growth, cautious recruitment policies, geopolitical tensions and rapid technological change are also impacting the job market for young adults, the ILO added. In particular, the jobs through which many young …

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With West Africa cocoa under strain, can Brazil supply more to Switzerland?

2026-08-12

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2026-08-12

The South American country hopes to expand its role as Swiss chocolate makers seek more resilient and diversified sources of cocoa. After two consecutive poor cocoa harvests in West Africa, in 2023-2024 and 2025-2026, Switzerland’s chocolate industry has been forced to confront a longstanding vulnerability: its dependence on a small number of suppliers for one …

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Basel’s world-beating pharma hub fights for place in new global order

2026-08-11

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2026-08-11

The Swiss city of Basel is still one of Europe’s great pharmaceutical centres, but AI, geopolitics, new competitors and changing investment patterns are forcing it to fight harder for its place in the industry. Few cities in the world have an identity so tightly bound to an industry as Basel and pharmaceuticals. Roche and Novartis, …

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Swiss pharma companies flock to North Carolina

2026-08-11

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2026-08-11

Some 80 Swiss companies are based in the southeastern United States including Switzerland's two largest pharmaceutical firms - Roche and Novartis. The governor of North Carolina wants to attract even more. Mountains, waterfalls, Atlantic beaches - North Carolina’s natural beauty is captivating. But that’s not why Swiss companies are moving to the state. It is …

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