Swiss Market Index Closes in Green; Novartis, SIG Group Shares Rise

12:50 PM EDT, 10/27/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Swiss stocks were in positive territory on Tuesday, with the Swiss Market Index closing 0.40% higher, as the busy earnings season remains in full swing. Novartis (NOVN.SW) recorded net sales of $14.52 billion in the third quarter, up from the year-ago $13.91 billion, mainly driven by higher sales of priority brands including Kisqali, Kesimpta, Scemblix and Leqvio, with core operating income rising 11% to $6.04 billion. For full-year 2026, the Swiss drugmaker raised its core operating income outlook, while leaving its net sales guidance of low single-digit growth unchanged. At the end of the trading day, the stock added 1.02%. "Novartis delivered solid sales growth in Q3, as priority brands and launches more than offset generic erosion, demonstrating the replacement power of the business. Combined with productivity efforts, this drove strong bottom-line performance and allowed us to upgrade our full-year guidance," Chief Executive Officer Vas Narasimhan said. "With continued momentum across the business and pipeline, we remain well on track to deliver our mid- and long-term outlook." Meanwhile, SIG Group's (SIGN.SW) total revenue increased to 843 million euros in the three months ended Sept. 30 from 769 million euros a year before, while adjusted net income climbed to 94.3 million euros from 16.9 million euros. The packaging company plans to resume dividends in 2027 for the 2026 financial year, with a targeted payout of between 30% and 50% of adjusted net income. Shares jumped 9.57% at closing. "Our aseptic carton business performed well across regions, while measures to improve operational efficiency are delivering results. This performance demonstrates the resilience of our business in a challenging market environment marked by geopolitical uncertainty, volatility in raw material and freight costs, and varying demand patterns across regions," according to SIG CEO Anne Erkens. "We are making good progress in strengthening our balance sheet and positioning the business for profitable growth." Other Switzerland-listed companies that posted financial updates include instrumentation and critical sensor technologies provider Inficon (IFCN.SW) and machinery industry company Bucher Industries (BUCN.SW). In other news, residential property prices in Switzerland rose 1.7% in the third quarter, compared with the previous quarter, with higher prices in single-family houses and condominiums, data from the Federal Statistical Office showed. On an annual basis, the Swiss residential property price index increased 4.4%.