Swiss Market Index Bounces Back; Sika, Stadler Rail Shares Up

11:49 AM EDT, 10/09/2026 (MT Newswires) -- The blue-chip Swiss Market Index staged a recovery on Friday, ending the trading session 1.10% in the green, as markets assessed the latest economy-related data prints and company updates. Government data showed that Switzerland's consumer sentiment index fell to -35.8 points in September from -32.8 points in August. A year ago, the index stood at -36.5 points. The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs said the separate indices for economic outlook improved on an annual basis, while the indicator for past financial situation, financial outlook and the moment to make major purchases deteriorated. Meanwhile, the KOF Swiss Economic Institute's global economic barometers stayed above the 100-point neutral threshold in October, indicating continued "moderate" economic growth, with the coincident barometer rising 0.7 points to 105.5 points and the leading barometer remaining stable at 106.4 points. "Despite the strong negative reaction from survey participants worldwide to the US President's announcement of Liberation Day in spring 2025, and despite all the geopolitical tensions, wars and oil price hikes, both global barometers have moved almost exclusively upwards since then. The economic assessments for all three regions are clearly above average," KOF director Jan-Egbert Sturm said. "Therefore, while not booming, the world economy is in better shape than ongoing geopolitical tensions would suggest." Over to corporates, Sika (SIKA.SW) acquired UK-based Azpects Group, which manufactures polymeric sands for the landscaping sector. The Swiss specialty chemicals company expects the transaction to bolster its position in the landscaping market and result in "substantial" manufacturing and logistics benefits. At closing, Sika's shares were up 1.73%. Stadler Rail (SRAIL.SW) also saw its shares rise 2.84% as it secured 10 additional orders for intercity trains from Saudi Arabia Railways, with the contract valued at more than 300 million francs. The latest order doubles the fleet of tailor-made intercity trains for Saudi Arabia to a total of 20 train sets, and the existing maintenance agreement will be extended to include the additional trains.