Swiss stocks - Factors to watch on Oct 9

ZURICH Oct 9 (Reuters) - Swiss shares were set to open a touch lower on Friday, in line with other European stocks, as profit taking kicks in after Thursday's gold-inspired rally.

The Swiss blue-chip index SMI .SSMI was indicated to open 14 points lower at 6,292 points, according to premarket data provided by bank Clariden Leu. CLPRE

The following are some of the main factors expected to affect Swiss stocks on Friday.

UBS (UBSN.VX)(UBS.N)

* The situation at UBS, which was rescued by the Swiss government last October, has improved compared with a year ago, but the bank giant is not yet out of the woods, according to a top Swiss regulator.

* UBS, which suffered asset outflows in the second quarter, hired former Merrill Lynch's brokerage head Robert McCann to lead its wealth management business in the Americas, CNBC said on Thursday.

For related news, click on [UBSN.VX]

ROCHE <ROG.VX]

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK.L) has challenged a biotech patent held by Roche's Genentech unit in a bid to give a clear run to its experimental cancer and arthritis drug Arzerra.

For related news, click on [ROG.VX]

GIVAUDAN (GIVN.VX)

Flavours and fragrances maker Givaudan's sales fell 4 percent to 3.0 billion Swiss francs ($2.9 billion) in the first nine months of 2009, hit by the weak U.S. dollar and in line with forecasts.

For related news, click on [GIVN.VX]

ECONOMY [M-CH]

* Swiss National Bank Vice-Chairman Philipp Hildebrand said on Thursday banks should not fight regulators' reforms to build a more robust global financial system.

COMPANY STATEMENTS [CNR-CH]

* Actelion (ATLN.VX) - Dose-finding Phase IIb study started in patients with multiple sclerosis [ATLN.VX]

EQUITY RESEARCH [CH-RCH]

FOR COMPANIES TRADING EX-DIVIDEND, PLEASE CLICK ON:

.EX.S for all Swiss stocks

.EXSMI.S for blue chips

.EXNSMI.S for other stocks