Swiss stocks - Factors to watch on Feb 19

ZURICH Feb 19 (Reuters) - Swiss stocks are set to open slightly weaker on Friday in line with other European bourses, with the Swiss market focusing on the world's largest-food group Nestle's forecast-beating full-year results.

The Swiss blue-chip index SMI.SSMI was indicated to tick down 12 points to 6,625 points, premarket data provided by bank Clariden Leu showed.CLPRE

Nestle shares were indicated 0.8 percent higher.

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

NESTLE (NESN.VX)

Nestle, the world's biggest food group, surpassed expectations with 4.1 percent organic growth for 2009, weathering the economic woes better than its competitors.

For related news, click on [NESN.VX]

NOVARTIS (NOVN.VX)

Novartis AG's (NOVN.VX) cancer drug Tasigna has won priority review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for newly diagnosed patients with early-stage chronic myeloid leukemia, the Swiss drugmaker said on Friday.

Separately, U.S. health officials said Thursday they were taking steps to reduce the use of certain asthma drugs, also sold by Novartis, because of serious risks, including death.

For related news, click on [NOVN.VX.]

ROCHE (ROG.VX)

U.S. health regulators approved Roche's (ROG.VX) blockbuster cancer drug Rituxan to treat the most common form of leukemia in adults.

For related news, click on [ROG.VX]

COMPANY STATEMENTS [CNR-CH]

* Lonza(LONN.VX) and Ehrfeld Mikrotechnik BTS cooperate in the microreactor technology [LONN.VX]

* Schulthess SGRN.S Group: Changes in Group Management and Board of Directors [SGRN.S]

* Julius Baer(BAER.VX) Group appoints Georg Hess as Head Public Affairs [BAER.VX]

* Alpiq (ALPH.S) says records satisfactory result [ALPH.S]

* Swissquote (SQN.S) reports higher net profit and higher inflow of new funds [SQN.S]

ECONOMY [M-CH]

EQUITY RESEARCH [CH-RCH]

* JP Morgan raises ABB(ABBN.VX) price target to Sfr 25 from Sfr 24; rating overweight [ABBN.VX]

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FOR COMPANIES TRADING EX-DIVIDEND, PLEASE CLICK ON:

.EX.S for all Swiss stocks

.EXSMI.S for blue chips

.EXNSMI.S for other stocks