Swiss stocks - Factors to watch on Aug 27
ZURICH, Aug 27 (Reuters) - Swiss shares are poised to open flat on Wednesday, in line with other European markets, as investors focus on a slew of European corporate earnings.
The Swiss blue-chip index SMI .SSMI was indicated to open flat at 7,095 points, data provided by bank Clariden Leu showed. CLPRE
The following are some of the main factors expected to affect Swiss stocks on Wednesday:
ADECCO (ADEN.VX)
Adecco's rival Randstad NV (RAND.AS) said on Wednesday second-quarter operating earnings rose 6 percent.
For related news, click on [ADEN.VX-RTRS-LEN]
BALOISE (BALN.VX)
Swiss insurer Baloise (BALN.VX) said on Wednesday its first-half net profit fell 42 percent to 274 million Swiss francs ($249.3 million), due to losses on investments and it expects financial markets to remain volatile in the rest of 2008.
The group had been expected to post a first-half net profit of 388 million francs.
For related news, click on [BALN.VX-RTRS-LEN]
NOVARTIS (NOVN.VX)
* Britain's healthcare cost-effectiveness watchdog NICE has recommended Novartis pricey eye drug Lucentis, under a special scheme that will cap the cost of treatment to the state health service.
* Separately, Novartis said Glivec had received FDA priority review as the first therapy to reduce recurrence of gastrointestinal stromal tumors after surgery.
For related news click on [NOVN.VX-RTRS-LEN]
ABB (ABBN.VX)
Swiss engineering group ABB expects to grow several times faster than the global economy next year, interim chief executive Michel Demare was quoted as saying in an interview with Swiss newspaper Handelszeitung.
For related news, click on [ABBN.VX-RTRS-LEN]
GEORG FISCHER (FIN.S)
Georg Fischer said on Wednesday it would buy JRG Gunzenhauser AG, which had sales of 110 million francs in 2007.
For related news, click on [FIN.S-RTRS-LEN]
ASCOM (ASCN.S)
Ascom said on Wednesday it had received an offer for its French company Ascom Multitoll Solutions SAS from French Ajax Holding SAS.
For related news, click on [ASCN.S-RTRS-LEN]
COMPANY STATEMENTS [CNR-CH]
* Lonza (LONN.VX) introduces Clonetics Adult Melanocytes for dermal research [LONN.VX-LEN]
* Clariant (CLN.VX) appoints Andy Piers Head of Group Technology and Member of the Board of Management [CLN.VX-LEN]
* Siegfried (SFZN.S) posts growth despite negative currency influence [SFZN.S-LEN]
* Day (DAYN.S) reports financial results for first half of fiscal year 2008 [DAYN.S-LEN]
EQUITY RESEARCH [CH-RCH]
FOR COMPANIES TRADING EX-DIVIDEND, PLEASE CLICK ON:
.EX.S for all Swiss stocks
.EXSMI.S for blue chips
.EXNSMI.S for other stocks
ECONOMY
Swiss National Bank chairman Jean-Pierre Roth was quoted in a newspaper interview published on Tuesday as saying he still expects inflation to ease from the current 15-year high.
For related news click on [M-SNB-RTRS-LEN]
