Swiss stocks - Factors to watch on Feb 4

ZURICH Feb 4 (Reuters) - Swiss stocks are indicated to open higher on Friday, in line with European markets after gains on Wall Street as encouraging weekly U.S. jobless data boosted confidence about a recovery in the labour market.

The Swiss blue-chip index SMI .SSMI was indicated to rise 40 points to 6,586 points, premarket data provided by bank Clariden Leu showed.CLPRE

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

ACTELION (ATLN.VX)

Actelion shareholder Elliott Advisors has called for the resignation of the chief executive and chairman of the Swiss biotech company in a push for a sale of the firmm, The Financial Times reported on Friday.

For related news [ATLN.VX]

UBS (UBSN.VX)

Executives at UBS are concerned that pending bonuses will be inadequate to retain top talent at the Swiss bank, one of the hardest hit during the financial crisis, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.

For related news click on [UBSN.VX]

TRANSOCEAN (RIGN.VX)

The world's largest offshore rig operator announced a $1 billion after-tax charge for the impairment of the value of its older shallow-water rigs, sending its shares down 1 percent.

For related news, click on [RIGN.VX]

NESTLE (NESN.VX)

The world's biggest food group said on Thursday it would invest 1 billion Swiss francs ($1 billion), expanding capacity in Africa over the next two years.

For related news, click on [NESN.VX]

ECONOMY [M-CH]

* KOF business survey

* SNB publishes Swiss forex reserves for Jan

COMPANY STATEMENTS [CNR-CH]

* Rieter (RIEN.S) said it achieved a significant increase in orders received and sales in 2010. [RIEN.S]

* Partners Group (PGHN.S) provides a debt facility for real estate property in London's Canary Wharf on behalf of its clients. [PGHN.S]

* Syngenta (SYNN.VX) receives approval for triple stack corn in Brazil. [SYNN.VX]

* Panalpina (PWTN.S) opens a branch in Chongqing. [PWTN.S]

* Dufry (DUFN.S) expands its operations in Guadeloupe. [DUFN.S]

EQUITY RESEARCH [CH-RCH]

* UBS RAISES KABA HOLDING AG (KABN.S) TO BUY FROM NEUTRAL [KABN.S]

* UBS RAISES BUCHER INDUSTRIES AG (BUCN.S) PRICE TARGET TO SFR 190 FROM SFR 155; RATING NEUTRAL [BUCN.S]

* HSBC RAISES MEYER BURGER (MBTN.S) PRICE TARGET TO SFR 34 FROM SFR 32; RATING NEUTRAL [MBTN.S]

* DZ BANK CUTS ROCHE HOLDING AG (ROG.VX) PRICE TARGET TO SFR 175 FROM SFR 195; RATING BUY [ROG.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