Category Archive: 3) Swiss Markets and News

Main Author Investec
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.
My articlesMy siteAbout meMy books
Follow on:LinkedINTwitterAmazon
Filter archive by: Show All Show only Articles Show only Videos

Ukraine: What Swiss sanctions-busters need to consider

2022-02-27

by

2022-02-27

Legal expert Mark Pieth is amazed that Switzerland is taking its own problematic approach to international sanctions against Russia. When Russia invaded Ukraine, the US and the EU announced economic sanctions, whereas Switzerland announced that it would first have to analyse the new situation. The obvious question there is what has the Swiss Government been doing for the past few weeks, as tensions have been rising?

Read More »

Prices of dairy products set to rise in Switzerland

2022-02-25

by

2022-02-25

Dairy prices are rising globally. Higher global prices are expected to trigger price rises in Switzerland as local dairy farmers follow the global trend, reported 20 Minutes. © Erix2005 | Dreamstime.comSince the beginning of the year, the price of a tonne of dried milk has risen by around 16% to US$ 4,503, according to the website Global Dairy Trade. Contracts dated March 2022 are priced slightly higher at US$ 4,510. Between 4 January and 15...

Read More »

Swiss employment reaches new record

2022-02-25

by

2022-02-25

Data published this week by Switzerland’s Federal Statistical Office (FSO) show that the number of active workers in Switzerland rose to a record 5.239 million by the end of 2021. Photo by Lex Photography on Pexels.comThe number of people employed at the end of 2021 was 1.9% higher than at the end of 2020. 5.239 million represents around 73% of those 15 or older. Sharp rise in hotel and restaurant jobs The number of people...

Read More »

Prosecutor calls for maximum fine for Credit Suisse

2022-02-24

by

2022-02-24

The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland has demanded Credit Suisse be fined CHF5 million ($5.4 million) – the maximum provided for by law – for aggravated money laundering and subsidiary support of a criminal organisation.

Read More »

Credit Suisse client data leak sparks political storm

2022-02-22

by

2022-02-22

Switzerland is facing calls to clean up its financial sector in the wake of the so-called “Suisse Secrets” controversy, which drew on leaked data from banking giant Credit Suisse. Many see the scandal as evidence of systemic shortcoming in the Swiss banking sector, which has undergone major reforms over recent years in a bid to shake off its image as a financial haven for criminals.

Read More »

SWISS suspends flights to Ukraine

2022-02-19

by

2022-02-19

Other airlines in the Lufthansa Group also announced plans to halt flights to the country. © Keystone / Christian Beutler Amid further escalations of the crisis in Ukraine, Swiss International Airlines has decided to temporarily suspend flights to Ukraine from next week. This affects flight connections in Kyiv. This content was published on February 19, 2022 - 17:22 February 19, 2022 - 17:22 Keystone-SDA/jdp All flights will be...

Read More »

Covid: weekly cases and hospitalisations fall further as Switzerland drops nearly all measures

2022-02-19

by

2022-02-19

This week, 118,555 new Covid-19 cases were reported in Switzerland, down 25% from the 157,683 cases reported a week earlier. The reported number of Covid-19 patients hospitalised also fell 20% from 492 to 392 across the week. Photo by Polina Tankilevitch on Pexels.comCovid-19 deaths were also down. Across the week, 61 Covid-19 related deaths were reported, a figure 13% lower than the 70 reported the week before. In addition, the number of...

Read More »

Glencore sets aside $1.5bn to settle UK, US and Brazil probes

2022-02-16

by

2022-02-16

Glencore expects to resolve bribery and corruption investigations in the UK, US and Brazil this year and has set aside $1.5 billion (CHF1.4 billion) to cover potential fines and costs.

Read More »

What to do with abandoned stables? A thorny issue in Switzerland

2022-01-31

by

2022-01-31

Many people dream of owning a mountain home, especially in Switzerland, where the Alps are within easy reach of major towns and cities. But few come on the market and, when they do, they can be quite expensive.

Read More »

Switzerland remains in top 10 for lowest corruption

2022-01-30

by

2022-01-30

Switzerland was ranked tenth in the latest 2021 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) published by Transparency International this week.

Read More »

Price of wood pellets rises sharply in Switzerland

2022-01-29

by

2022-01-29

The price of wood pellets in Switzerland is up 20% over the last 12 months, according to Patrick Schmutz, a wood pellet expert, reports RTS. According toSchmutz, the price rise is due to a cold 12 months, especially last spring, and the success of wood pellet heating. More and more pellet-based heating systems are being installed in Switzerland.

Read More »

After pandemic slump, Swiss exports boomed in 2021

2022-01-28

by

2022-01-28

Swiss exports climbed to record levels in 2021, with chemicals and pharma driving much of the growth. Watches, especially luxury ones, also had a good year.

Read More »

Overwhelming majority of ICU patients in Switzerland unvaccinated, show data

2022-01-27

by

2022-01-27

On 25 January 2022, a study published by Zurich University Hospital found that 97% of Covid-19 ICU patients since the start of Switzerland’s Covid-19 vaccination campaign were unvaccinated.

Read More »

Higher tax deductions for parents in Switzerland starting in 2023

2022-01-26

by

2022-01-26

This week, Switzerland’s government set a date for the introduction of more generous tax deductions for childcare. From 1 January 2023, parents will be able to deduct up to CHF 25,000 per child in childcare costs from their annual taxable income, reported RTS. Currently, the maximum is CHF 10,100 per child.

Read More »

Vote against Swiss “Netflix tax” passes signature hurdle

2022-01-25

by

2022-01-25

In October 2021, Switzerland’s government created a law requiring online streaming services to pay money into a Swiss cinema fund. Under the law, from 2024, streaming services such as Netflix and Disney+ will need to pay a levy equivalent to 4% of their Swiss turnover into the fund, which would be spent on producing Swiss films.

Read More »

The Swiss banker managing Senegal’s first private bank

2022-01-24

by

2022-01-24

After working in finance in Geneva for 15 years, Olivier Santi emigrated to Dakar in 2017 to head a new bank founded by one of Senegal’s richest businessmen. His career to date demonstrates both the central role Switzerland plays in the finance and raw materials sectors, and the vitality of West Africa’s banking sector.

Read More »

The discreet charm of antiquarian booksellers

2022-01-23

by

2022-01-23

Despite the demise of many antiquarian bookshops in Switzerland, the trade is alive and well in the Alpine country. Dealers in Geneva, Basel and Zurich give a glimpse into this exclusive business, where a gentleman’s code still rules.

Read More »

Swiss firms rank low in European ‘Gender Diversity Index’

2022-01-22

by

2022-01-22

The proportion of women in leading positions at major European companies rose slightly last year but progress is slow, according to a new study that compares 19 countries. Switzerland was ranked near the bottom of the 2021 “Gender Diversity Index”.

Read More »

Pandemic drives Swiss Post parcel deliveries

2022-01-20

by

2022-01-20

The state-owned Swiss Post processed a record number of parcels last year, but the downward letter mail continued. Parcel deliveries increased by 9.6% to 202 million in 2021, according to the state-owned company.“

Read More »

Is the luxury watch market facing a democratic revolution?

2022-01-20

by

2022-01-20

Entrepreneur Thomas Baillod has just launched a “Swiss Made” tourbillon watch for under CHF5,000 ($5,450), a marketing coup which shows that mid-range watches still have a place in a watch industry increasingly focused on ultra-luxury.

Read More »