Swiss stocks - Factors to watch on Aug 24

ZURICH, Aug 24 - Swiss stocks were set to fall on Tuesday, in line with other European bourses, as investors continued to worry about the health of the global economy.

The Swiss blue-chip index SMI .SSMI was indicated to open 26 points lower at 6,184 points, premarket data provided by bank Clariden Leu showed. CLPRE

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

ROCHE (ROG.VX)

Britain's healthcare cost agency NICE rejected Roche's (ROG.VX) drug Avastin for advanced bowel cancer again on Tuesday, saying it was too expensive, despite a fresh price deal offered by the manufacturer.

For related news, click on [ROG.VX]

LINDT & SPRUENGLI (LISP.S) (LISN.S)

The Swiss premium chocolate-maker confirmed its full-year guidance and posted organic sales growth of 9.2 percent in the first half of the year.

For related news, click on [LISP.S] [LISN.S]

GAM (GAMH.S)

The asset manager posted an underlying net profit of 106.3 mln Sfr and net new money of 5.6 bln Sfr in the first half.

For related news, click on [GAMH.S]

ECONOMY [M-CH]

COMPANY STATEMENTS [CNR-CH]

* Kudelski (KUD.S) said it achieved strong growth and improved profitability in the first half. [KUD.S]

* Komax (KOMN.S) said it substantially improved sales and new orders in the first six months of 2010. [KOMN.S]

* Huber & Suhner (HUBN.S) said it achieved a sharp rise in sales and profits in the first half. [HUBN.S]

* Von Roll (ROL.S) said sales fell by 1.5 pct compared with the same period in the previous year to reach a level of 286.1 million in the first half. [ROL.S]

* Edisun Power (ESUN.S) said it named Heinrich Bruhin as chairman of the board. [ESUN.S]

* Charles Voegele (VCH.S) said it posted an operating result (EBIT) of 4 mln Sfr in H1 and expects a positive net result for the year as a whole. [VCH.S]

EQUITY RESEARCH [CH-RCH]

* Clariden Leu lowers Holcim (HOLN.VX) price target to 71 Sfr from 86 Sfr, rating Outperform. [HOLN.VX]

FOR COMPANIES TRADING EX-DIVIDEND, PLEASE CLICK ON:

.EX.S for all Swiss stocks

.EXSMI.S for blue chips

.EXNSMI.S for other stocks