Swiss stocks - Factors to watch on May 24

ZURICH May 24 (Reuters) - Swiss stocks are set to open slightly firmer on Tuesday, like other markets recovering some ground after sharp falls in the previous session on concerns about the widening euro zone debt crisis.

The Swiss blue-chip index SMI .SSMI was indicated to rise 6 points to 6,443 points, premarket data provided by bank Clariden Leu showed.CLPRE.

SONOVA (SOON.VX)

Swiss hearing aid maker Sonova expects the strong Swiss franc to weigh on its earnings and sales growth and cautioned first-half sales would be slower due to lower sales of a cochlear implant.

For related news click on [SOON.VX]

NESTLE (NESN.VX)

Nestle is buying Prometheus Laboratories Inc., a San Diego-based company specialising in diagnostics and in-licensed specialty pharmaceuticals in gastroenterology and oncology, with forecast 2012 sales of around $250 million. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

For related news click on [NESN.VX]

UBS (UBS.N)(UBSN.VX)

UBS is committed to making a "substantial investment" in its staff, the bank's chief executive told U.S. employees in a memo, after the bank was hit this year by a wave of defections and gripes over pay.

For related news click on [UBSN.VX]

ROCHE (ROG.VX)

Roche's (ROG.VX) cancer drug MabThera has been recommended for use on Britain's state health service as a maintenance therapy for patients with follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, expanding the market for the medicine.

For related news click on [ROG.VX]

ECONOMY [M-CH]

Swiss National Bank Vice Chairman Thomas Jordan said on Monday he is "very worried" about the rise in the Swiss franc, though he said interest rates can remain low for a relatively long period if inflation risks are benign.

COMPANY STATEMENTS [CNR-CH]

*Cilag GmbH International Announces Definitive Agreements to Acquire the Over-The-Counter Brands of J B Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Limited

*Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP Files Class Action Suit against Logitech International (LOGN.VX)

*Swiss Life (SLHN.VX) successfully issues an additional CHF 75 million in hybrid debt [SLHN.VX]

*Swatch Group (UHR.VX) and Saleh Mohammad Alzouman Sons Co. Ltd. announced that Swatch Group through its affiliate Technocorp Holding Ltd has taken a 33.3 percent participation of the total share capital of 60 million Saudi Riyals of the Alzouman General Trading Co. Ltd. in Jeddah [UHR.VX]

EQUITY RESEARCH [CH-RCH]

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