UPDATE 2-Swiss stocks - Factors to watch on Aug 23

ZURICH, Aug 23 - Swiss stocks are set to open slightly higher on Monday, in line with markets across Europe.

The Swiss blue-chip index SMI .SSMI was indicated to open 26 points higher at 6,212 premarket data provided by bank Clariden Leu showed. CLPRE

The following are some of the main factors expected to affect Swiss stocks on Monday:

ROCHE (ROG.VX)

Roche said it was buying U.S. privately-held company BioImagene for some $100 million on a debt-free basis.

For related news, cilck on [ROG.VX]

BANKS

A whistleblower has offered a German state data about some 250 companies that have allegedly evaded taxes worth up to 800 million euros ($1.03 billion) through bank holdings in Switzerland, a German paper reported on Sunday.[ID:nLDE67L04H]

SWATCH GROUP (UHR.VX)

Swatch Group, the world's largest watchmaker, is aiming for another record year in 2011 as new products come on to the market in the coming months, the group's new chairwoman was quoted as saying on Sunday.

For related news, click on [UHR.VX]

ECONOMY [M-CH]

Switzerland's central bank chief warned against hiking rates too soon and said that risks to the bank's latest economic growth forecast had become more acute, in an interview with Swiss newspaper TagesAnzeiger.

COMPANY STATEMENTS [CNR-CH]

* Baloise (BALN.VX) said as of September 1, 2010, Martin Kampik will be he new Regional Manager for Austria and Eastern Europe.

* Schaffner (SAHN.S) raised its outlook for the year and said that assuming that exchange rates remain stable it expects consolidated net sales of between 180 and 190 million francs and an EBIT margin of 7 to 8 percent.

* Oridion (ORIDN.S) posted first-half net income 3.15 million dollars and raised its guidance to approximately 25 percent revenue growth and operating margin of 13-14 percent for entire FY 2010.

EQUITY RESEARCH [CH-RCH]

* Morgan Stanley cuts Basilea (BSLN.S) price target to 89 Sfr from 116 Sfr

* Citigroup cuts Holcim (HOLN.VX) price target to 71 Sfr from 80 Sfr

* UBS cuts Holcim price target to 75 Sfr from 85 Sfr

* Bernstein cuts Nestle (NESN.VX) price target to 61 Sfr from 62 Sfr; rating outperform

* UBS raises Barry Callebaut (BARN.S) to buy from neutral, price target to 740 Sfr from 750 Sfr

FOR COMPANIES TRADING EX-DIVIDEND, PLEASE CLICK ON:

.EX.S for all Swiss stocks

.EXSMI.S for blue chips

.EXNSMI.S for other stocks