Swiss Market Surges Notably on Strong Economic Signals

LiquidationAlert · 2026-02-17T09:05:46+00:00

Swiss stocks surged Monday, with the SMI index rising 1.67% due to strong retail sales and manufacturing data, signaling economic momentum. Notable gains were seen in blue-chip stocks, while some slipped. Overall, investor confidence in Switzerland's economy remains high.

LiquidationAlert

2026-02-17 09:05:46

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Swiss stocks rallied notably on Monday, with investors responding enthusiastically to a string of encouraging economic indicators. The benchmark SMI index surged 220.85 points, or 1.67%, to finish at 13,409.11, marking the day’s peak. This substantial advance reflected broader confidence in Switzerland’s economic momentum, driven by robust retail sales and manufacturing activity figures that exceeded expectations.

SMI Posts Significant Gains Amid Positive Data

The strong market performance was notably broad-based, with blue-chip stocks leading the way. Nestle advanced approximately 2.85%, while Richemont, Logitech International, Novartis, Lindt & Spruengli, and Galderma Group each climbed between 2% and 2.5%. Additional gainers included Schindler, UBS Group, Helvetia Baloise Holding, Holcim, Zurich Insurance, SGS, ABB, Sika, Julius Baer, Swiss Life Holding, and Roche Holding, which all rallied between 1% and 2%. Sonova ended notably lower, down about 1.1%, while Alcon, VAT Group, Givaudan, and Partners Group slipped between 0.3% and 0.7%.

Retail Sales Recovery Drives Momentum

A report from the Federal Statistical Office revealed notably upbeat retail activity in December. Swiss retail sales climbed 1% month-on-month in real terms, reversing a 0.1% decline from November. This marked the fastest pace in six months. On a yearly basis, retail growth accelerated to 2.9% from 1.7%, outpacing the anticipated 2.5% increase. Food, drinks, and tobacco sales surged 1.3%, though non-food products dipped 0.4%. Online sales bounced back strongly, jumping 10.8% after plunging 13.1% the previous month, signaling a notable recovery in e-commerce activity.

Manufacturing PMI Signals Sector Easing

Switzerland’s manufacturing activity showed encouraging signs, with the procure.ch and UBS manufacturing PMI rising to 48.8 in January from a revised 46.4 in December. This notably represents a modest easing of pressure on the industrial sector, suggesting stabilization after earlier weakness. The improvement in both retail and manufacturing metrics points to sustainable economic momentum entering the new year.

The market’s notably positive response underscores investor confidence in Switzerland’s economic trajectory, with economic data potentially supporting further upside momentum in the weeks ahead.

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