Tag Archive: Featured

The Feds Ambiguous Guidance

2026-07-10

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2026-07-10

The FOMC released the minutes from Chair Warsh's first meeting on Wednesday, and the best word to describe the Fed's advice is "ambiguous." Merriam-Webster defines ambiguous as a state or, in this case, a statement that allows for more than one interpretation. Officials entertained policy scenarios in both hawkish and dovish ways.  Some see inflation …

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Swiss newspaper’s freedom of expression violated: ECHR

2026-07-10

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2026-07-10

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) says Switzerland violated the freedom of expression of the newspaper Le Courrier in a legal dispute with businessman Jean Claude Gandur. The ECHR ruled against Switzerland in a judgement handed down on Thursday in Strasbourg. "This is a historic decision," the newspaper stated on Friday. "This ruling will …

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AI Capex Risk Cuts Both Ways In The American Economy

2026-07-10

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2026-07-10

Just over a year ago, I made the case that the deficit narrative would find its cure in artificial intelligence. Goldman Sachs has since published research that, on first reading, appears to refute. It isn't. But after more than thirty years of watching capex cycles play out, I've learned the right move when new data lands …

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Swiss power providers show little appetite for building nuclear plants

2026-07-10

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2026-07-10

Swiss energy companies welcome the lifting of the ban on the construction of nuclear power stations. But no company believes a nuclear project is economically viable for the moment. A new nuclear power station is not a realistic prospect in the short to medium term, BKW has stated in response to an enquiry from the …

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Swiss regulator urges banks to prepare for quantum era

2026-07-10

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2026-07-10

The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) is calling on banks to do more to address the risk posed by powerful quantum computers. Quantum computing could breach current cryptographic systems, putting communications, customer data and financial transactions at risk. A survey carried out between November 2025 and January 2026 among 60 financial institutions has revealed …

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How the Hormuz crisis is reshaping global trade

2026-07-10

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2026-07-10

Commercial shipping had only just begun returning to the Strait of Hormuz after a memorandum of understanding signed between the US and Iran in mid-June raised hopes of de-escalation. But those hopes have now evaporated with the return of direct military confrontation, reigniting fears about the world's most important energy chokepoint. For governments and businesses, …

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European gas reserves low but not yet critical

2026-07-09

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2026-07-09

The Middle East conflict has depleted European gas storage capacities below the normal range. Experts do not expect the shortfall to be made up in time for winter. "European gas storage levels are very low, and they are likely to remain low as we head into winter," Andy Sommer of the Swiss energy group Axpo … Continue reading...

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Depleted Swiss reservoirs need wet autumn

2026-07-09

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2026-07-09

Swiss reservoirs are significantly less full than usual for this time of year. There are fears of an energy shortfall in the event of a dry autumn and winter. If reservoirs remain low, more electricity will have to be imported from abroad. + Should Switzerland prepare for a severe drought this summer? "Reservoir levels are … Continue...

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Most Swiss small firms confident of survival

2026-07-09

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2026-07-09

Despite economic uncertainties, the majority of Swiss small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are optimistic about the future. According to a survey, 86% of respondents expect their business to still be in operation in ten years’ time. At the same time, 43% regard the economic situation in their sector as uncertain. This is shown by this …

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Switzerland wants greater flexibility from EU border control

2026-07-09

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2026-07-09

Switzerland has asked the European Union for greater flexibility in operating Entry/Exit System (EES) border control systems at airports. Switzerland, together with eight other countries, sent a letter to this effect to the European Commission. Switzerland wants permission to suspend the EES at airports for an extended period. A State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) spokesperson …

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Uber Eats Switzerland ruled postal services provider

2026-07-09

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2026-07-09

Uber Eats Switzerland has suffered a legal setback and must be registered as a provider of postal services. The food delivery service is therefore subject to the registration requirement imposed by the Federal Postal Commission (PostCom). The Federal Administrative Court has dismissed an appeal by Uber Eats Switzerland against a decision by PostCom dated December …

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Nestlé investing half a billion in Thai Nescafé plant

2026-07-09

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2026-07-09

Swiss fdood manufacturer Nestlé is investing CHF563 million to construct a production facility for its Nescafé brand in Thailand. The factory will primarily supply the local market with instant coffee, coffee blends and other ready-to-drink beverages. The investment aims to meet the growing demand for coffee in Thailand, a market estimated to be worth CHF1 …

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Swiss canton takes emergency measures to help farmers during drought

2026-07-09

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2026-07-09

The Swiss canton of Neuchâtel is enacting several emergency measures to provide relief for farmers as drought conditions persist. + Should Switzerland prepare for a severe drought this summer? The canton is permitting grazing on extensive, low-intensity grassland, on buffer strips adjacent to hedgerows, and on riparian grassland, with a few exceptions. "Areas included in …

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SWISS considers suing air traffic controller

2026-07-09

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2026-07-09

Swiss International Air Lines is considering claims for damages following an IT failure at air traffic controller Skyguide. This follows a recent ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ). The ruling relates only to an IT failure on June 21, 2026, a SWISS spokesperson told the AWP news agency. The Neue Zürcher Zeitung had …

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The Low VIX Hides Fierce Undercurrents

2026-07-09

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2026-07-09

Goldman Sachs's volatility desk made the following comment: "With the VIX back to its lowest levels in more than a month, our Vol desk is focused on hedging opportunities as 1-month S&P implied correlation is near its lowest level in 20 years."  Simply, a low VIX can convey a sense of market calm on the … Continue reading...

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Swiss multinationals aim to give labs robotics overhaul

2026-07-09

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2026-07-09

Swiss tech giant ABB and pharmaceutical firm Roche’s have announced a global partnership to develop new robotic solutions for clinical laboratories. The agreement, formalised with a joint statement, aims to make laboratory processes more efficient, flexible and interconnected through the use of intelligent robotics and artificial intelligence (AI). + Swiss robotics moves from research to …

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Little support for Swiss government ideas on ethical business

2026-07-09

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2026-07-09

The Swiss government's counter-proposal to a popular initiative on corporate ethics has received little support from businesses or politicians. The business community and the centre-right political parties reject the counter-proposal outright and the initiative’s backers and the left believe it does not go far enough. + Why big companies fear the Responsible Business Initiative The …

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Swiss bank sounds warning over AI investing bubble

2026-07-09

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2026-07-09

Artificial intelligence (AI) companies have attracted a wealth of investments, but the bubble could soon burst, according to Matthias Geissbühler, head of investments at Switzerland's Raiffeisen bank. + How US heavyweights can help grow the Swiss AI sector "As early as autumn 2025, I had warned of a bubble forming," the expert said in an …

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Swiss job market stagnates

2026-07-09

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2026-07-09

The Swiss job market was static in the second quarter of 2026. Compared to the first three months of the year, the number of job vacancies fell by 2.4%, and was down 0.2% year-on-year. The picture varies depending on the occupational group, as shown by the Swiss Job Market Index by Adecco and the University … Continue reading »

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Switzerland and Mexico to update free trade agreement

2026-07-09

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2026-07-09

The free trade agreement (FTA) between Mexico and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) states, including Switzerland, is to be updated. This was confirmed by Swiss economics minister Guy Parmelin and his Mexican counterpart, Claudia Sheinbaum, in Mexico City. This EFTA-Mexico FTA is now 25 years old. Mexico is Switzerland’s second most important trading partner in …

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