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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Expert: Switzerland is an interesting market for illegal synthetic drugs networks

2026-02-06

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2026-02-06

After a major synthetic‑drug network was dismantled in Europe, Swiss public broadcaster RSI asked an expert whether – and how – Switzerland might be involved in producing or trafficking such drugs. Last month, Europol announced the dismantling of a major synthetic drug network active across several European countries. The operation led to over 100 arrests, …

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WEF launches investigation into CEO over Epstein relationship

2026-02-05

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2026-02-05

The World Economic Forum has launched an independent investigation into its CEO Borge Brende. The aim is to clarify his relationship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein after it became known that Brende had been in contact with him. Brende is said to have attended three dinners at which Epstein was also present, the Italian news …

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SWISS adds second Airbus A350 to its fleet

2026-02-05

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2026-02-05

Swiss International Airlines has taken delivery of its second Airbus A350 long-haul aircraft. The new aircraft named "Delémont" will make its first passenger flight from Zurich to Montreal on 23 February 23, the Lufthansa subsidiary announced in a press release on Wednesday. From the 2026 summer timetable, the A350 will be used on long-haul flights …

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Epstein files, Fed chair nominee – and a new nuclear arms race?

2026-02-04

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2026-02-04

Welcome to our press review of events in the United States. Every Wednesday I look at how the Swiss media have reported and reacted to three major stories in the US – in politics, finance and science. It doesn’t happen often, but this week Swiss newspapers congratulated US President Donald Trump on making a half-decent …

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UBS job layoffs expected in second half of year

2026-02-04

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2026-02-04

The next wave of job cuts at Swiss bank UBS will start in the coming months, with the bulk of the redundancies in Switzerland taking place in the second half of the year and in early 2027. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox This was indicated today by CEO Sergio Ermotti … Continue reading »

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Swiss companies employ AI tools for social media strategies

2026-02-04

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2026-02-04

Practically all large Swiss companies and organisations integrate artificial intelligence (AI) tools into their social media strategies, according to a study. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox Companies and organisations want to use social media to increase their visibility and reach and strengthen trust, a study by the ZHAW and PR …

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New Swiss electric cars regain traction but miss targets

2026-02-04

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2026-02-04

Sales of electric cars continued to rise in Switzerland last year, although not enough to meet the targets set by the federal government. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox The overall car market remains sluggish, reports the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). A total of 232,602 passenger cars were put on Swiss …

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Swiss retail trade stagnated in 2025

2026-02-04

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2026-02-04

The Swiss retail sector grew by just 1% last year, according to market researcher NielsenIQ. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox Retailers covered by the NIQ Market Monitor Switzerland sold 1.2% more goods in the food and food-related sector (food/nearfood). In the non-food sector, the increase was a meagre 0.6%. Meanwhile, …

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The turbulent times of Swiss chocolate maker Barry Callebaut

2026-02-04

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2026-02-04

Last month the world’s largest chocolate manufacturer, Barry Callebaut, announced the sudden departure of its CEO Peter Feld after reports of a high-level split. The move comes as the Zurich-based group struggles with lower volumes, high cocoa prices and internal upheaval. Barry Callebaut is the world’s largest supplier of chocolate and cocoa products, processing around …

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Novartis revenues slowed in last quarter of 2025

2026-02-04

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2026-02-04

Novartis revenues slowed to a standstill in the final quarter of 2025. The Swiss pharmaceutical firm presents a mixed outlook for the current year. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox Novartis sales grew just 1% year-on-year to $13.3 billion in the last three months of 2025. At constant exchange rates, this …

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US Senate probes 890 alleged Credit Suisse Nazi-linked accounts

2026-02-04

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2026-02-04

A United States Senate committee investigating WWII Nazi links with Swiss banks suspects that 890 Credit Suisse accounts were tied to the Hitler regime. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox Some of the suspicious accounts remained open until 2020 and the existence of others has only recently become known, a hearing …

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Swiss bank UBS posts bumper 2025 profits

2026-02-04

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2026-02-04

Swiss banking giant UBS has reported annual 2025 profits of $7.8 billion, boosted by an unexpectedly high $1.2 billion performance in the final quarter of the year. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox Full year profits rose 53% from 2024, while Q4 profits gained 56% year-on-year. Analysts had expected an average …

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New Nestlé boss plots strategic overhaul to reignite growth

2026-02-04

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2026-02-04

Nestlé’s new chief executive is planning a strategic overhaul that will refocus the sprawling multinational around four product categories, as it faces pressure to boost growth after a period of turmoil. Philipp Navratil, appointed after the firing of former boss Laurent Freixe, is preparing to organise the KitKat and Nespresso maker around new “pillars” — …

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Swiss NGO urges Bern to raise its climate ambition as US walks away from accords

2026-02-04

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2026-02-04

As Washington withdraws from major climate treaties and organisations, Swiss climate expert Delia Berner warns the move is a “bitter blow” to climate justice. Berner also criticises Switzerland’s delay on climate finance as “irresponsible” at a moment when global action is under strain. US President Donald Trump continues to rapidly reshape America’s climate and energy …

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Swiss solar rail project sharing know-how with France

2026-02-02

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2026-02-02

Swiss solar energy start-up Sun-Ways has teamed up with French state-owned rail operator SNCF to partner in the world's first removable solar power plant installed on an active railway line. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox In April 2025, Sun-Ways installed solar panels between the tracks of a railway line near …

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Zurich plans hub for sustainable transport routes

2026-02-02

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2026-02-02

The Swiss city of Zurich plans to become a hub for night trains and buses to encourage more environmentally-friendly travel through to Europe. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox The proposal follows a study by the city of Zurich and Zurich Tourism. The latest climate protection report published by Zurich in …

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Audience figures remain stable at Swiss public broadcaster RTS

2026-02-02

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2026-02-02

Swiss public broadcaster RTS saw its audience grow on digital channels last year. Viewing figures on traditional radio and television channels held up well. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox The broadcaster said it is particularly pleased to be listened to by two out of three young people in French-speaking Switzerland. …

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Swiss bank Julius Bär posts lower profits

2026-02-02

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2026-02-02

Swiss bank Julius Bär reported significantly lower profits in 2025 due to the high loan loss provisions recognised in the course of the year. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox Assets under management increased thanks to strong equity markets and further inflows of new money. IFRS net profit totalled CHF764 million …

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Swiss politicians decide against monitoring assisted-suicide tourism

2026-02-02

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2026-02-02

How many people travel to Switzerland to end their lives? Swiss politicians do not want a precise count. Parliament has rejected a proposal to introduce monitoring, even though the data is available. Assisted-suicide tourism in Switzerland draws criticism both at home and abroad. Domestically, the associated costs for the cantons are among the concerns, while …

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Swiss wine growers seek to limit European imports

2026-02-01

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2026-02-01

Swiss vineyards are pushing for tighter limits on foreign wine as they struggle with falling consumption, foreign competition and questions over quality – a move that could unsettle EU producers, for whom Switzerland is a critical export market. Several producer groups and the Swiss farmers’ union want to restore a system tying an importer’s right …

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