Category Archive: 3) Swiss Markets and News

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Investec
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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Rising yields and inflation expectations in developed nations

2018-03-29

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Aside from the concern over governance at our SOEs, what are the biggest risks facing SA’s macro environment in 2018? Investec’s Ronelle Hutchinson says that even though the SA dynamic has improved, the global environment is shifting, and a rish factor for South Africa is the change in liquidity dynamic. Annabel Bishop adds: Looking at …

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Budget Speech 2018: Domestic risk assets attractive to foreign investors

2018-03-29

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Will SA benefit from the increasing popularity of emerging market equities? With emerging markets back in favour, Ronelle Hutchinson, Investec portfolio manager believes South African equities will also see investment. With recent positive developments, she says there is potential for inflows into the local equity market. Get more insights from the Investec #Budget2018 panel discussion …

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Budget Speech 2018 and the sluggish GDP growth in South Africa – insights from Investec

2018-03-29

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Are we in the losing zone? Celebrating 1.5% GDP growth shows how far we’ve fallen behind, says Investec’s David Gracey. He puts this down to the country missing out on a decade of activity. “1.5% does nothing for us; we’re farming backwards; our population growth is higher than that!” Get more insights from the Investec …

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Budget Speech 2018: VAT and the expected effects of the tax increases on the CPI

2018-03-29

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What is the impact on businesses and the consumer? CPI inflation is unlikely to drop below the 5% mark for the medium term, says Investec’s Annabel Bishop, so the Reserve Bank is not going to rush into any interest rate cuts. She adds that the VAT increase is a small one, which, on a global …

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Investec insights: Budget Speech 2018 and the president’s “New Dawn”

2018-03-29

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What’s more impoprtant? Ensuring that the rand is strong, or that we can meaningfully impact people’s lives? Investec’s David Gracey reminds us not to lose sight of what’s key for South Africa’s economy. The behaviour of the rand and interest rates are symptoms of the activity in the broader economy. What we need to hone …

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Maker of the Sniper’s Choice, makes the news – but what is the Swiss company RUAG?

2018-03-28

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2018-03-28

RUAG
The Swiss company RUAG made the news last week when investigators were called in to look at information relating to the sale of ammunition. But what is this company? According to RTS, the investigation revealed contracts for the sale of ammunition to Russia that had not been properly declared, RUAG triggered the investigation itself when a whistle blower reported irregularities and has filed a criminal complaint.

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Swiss electricity getting cleaner, says energy report

2018-03-28

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2018-03-28

The electricity consumed in Switzerland is ever greener, according to government statistics: some 62% comes from renewable sources, while nuclear has fallen to 17%. The figures (in French/German)external link were released on Monday by the Federal Office of Energy, which gathers each year the sources used by electricity providers in Switzerland. The latest report refers to 2016.

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GB Hockey: new squad, same hunger.

2018-03-27

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Team GB’s gold medal-winning women’s hockey team changed their sport. But the pursuit of more success drove them to renew the squad. Maintaining that hunger is key to winning in the future. #TogetherAsOne https://invest.ec/2Lv3qHG

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Fintech lending platform Loanboox eyes French expansion

2018-03-27

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2018-03-27

Award-winning Swiss fintech firm Loanboox is planning further expansion into Europe having obtained a foothold in Germany. The digital portal for matching institutions with investors plans a move into France and is also looking at other European markets.

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What won’t change In your business?

2018-03-27

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By focusing on client value, you can align with trends and technology to deliver that value, says digital guru David Duarte at #BusinessMatters In a world of exponentially growing technology, it’s hard to know where to start your company’s digital transformation journey. Speaking at a recent Investec Cash Investment’s #BusinessMatters event in Johannesburg, David Duarte, …

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Swiss gold refiners accused of sourcing illegal and conflict gold

2018-03-26

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2018-03-26

A report by the NGO Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) has accused Swiss gold refiner Metalor of procuring gold from controversial suppliers in Peru. Metalor denies the charge. The reportexternal link, released on Thursday to time with the opening of the Baselworld Watch and Jewellery Fair, says that in all likelihood, Metalor continues to procure illegally mined and sold Peruvian gold, which is linked to tax evasion and environmental destruction.

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Swiss camera set to capture life on Mars

2018-03-26

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In 2021, a European rover is set to roll over the surface of Mars in the search for traces of life. At its heart is a Swiss camera, currently being tested in (almost) Martian conditions. — swissinfo.ch is the international branch of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC). Its role is to report on Switzerland and …

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Swiss government set to remove ‘mariage tax penalty’

2018-03-26

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2018-03-26

Marriage Tax Switzerland
In Switzerland, married couples file one combined tax return. Because tax rates rise in line with income it means that second incomes of married couples are taxed at a higher rate than those of single cohabitating ones. Those campaigning to have this changed argue that it is unfair and acts as a disincentive for second income earners.

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How to make friends with a Swiss person

2018-03-26

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Misinformed stereotype or stark reality? Whichever way round it is, how to make friends with the Swiss is a topic for most expats at some point during their time here. This animated guide lays out some ground rules for forming friendships with the Swiss – all with a heavy dose of humour. (SRF, swissinfo.ch) — …

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Alessandro Della Chà, CEO Cosmo Pharmaceuticals

2018-03-26

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Nach einem erwarteten Jahresverlust für 2017 kündigt Cosmo Pharmaceuticals für das laufende Geschäftsjahr wieder Minuszahlen an. CEO Alessandro Della Chà gibt im cash-Video-Interview Stellung.

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People in wheelchairs can drink and drive!

2018-03-26

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“True Talk” puts people in front of the camera who are fighting prejudice or discrimination. They answer questions that nobody would normally dare to ask directly. — swissinfo.ch is the international branch of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC). Its role is to report on Switzerland and to provide a Swiss perspective on international events. For …

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Imports curdle mood of Swiss cheese producers

2018-03-25

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2018-03-25

Switzerland may be living up to its cliché as a cheese loving nation, but a growing appetite for foreign brands has alarmed local farmers. On average the Swiss consumed 21 kilograms of cheese per person last year, compared to 18 kilograms across Europe, according to figures published by the Swiss Farmers’ Associationexternal link on Wednesday.

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Swiss authorities say Uber drivers should be treated as ‘employees’

2018-03-25

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2018-03-25

For the first time, the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) has clearly indicated that Uber taxi drivers should be classed as employees rather than self-employed. In an internal statement seen by the 10vor10 programme on Swiss public television, SECO gave the legal opinion that according to the conditions that bind drivers to Uber, they should be regarded as employees rather than independent contractors.

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Freight losses fail to dampen state railway profits

2018-03-24

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2018-03-24

The Swiss Federal Railway’s net profit increased by CHF18 million ($19 million) to CHF399 million ($418 million) last year despite posting a loss in its troubled freight division. The company confirmed a previous decision to cut 800 freight jobs but plans to reduce certain prices for its increasing number of customers, it announced in its annual report on Tuesday.

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Salt set to enter the landline telecoms market

2018-03-24

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2018-03-24

Mobile telephone operator Salt has announced that it will begin offering landline services in Switzerland, in a move set to intensify competition amongst current providers. Salt, which is already an established player in the mobile market, announced on Tuesdayexternal link that it would be proposing “a complete range of telecommunication services in Switzerland, including a ‘triple play’ offer based on high-speed broadband technology”.

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