Kaba(KABN SW) – H1 sales 590.3m (vs cons 592m) / EBIT 70.9m (vs cons 79.1m) / net profit 42.2m (vs cons 47.2m) Outlook: first half profit rises on 20% on door access systems – Kaba Gilgen received order for Paris Metro worth CHF 70m (BB)

Converium(CHRN SW) – company would consider a higher bid by the French suitor and is open to talks (F&W)

Novartis(NOVN VX) – US Congress is likely to agree on as measure this year allowing generics made from biotechnology (BB) Gets FDA approval for Procelix Tigris system, the first fully automatic system to detect West-Nile virus in blood samples, organs and tissue (BB)

Swisscom(SCMN VX) – faces an investigation by Switzerland's Competition Commission into prices Swisscom charges other telecom companies for using its broadband Internet infrastructure (SoZ)

ZurichFin(ZURN VX) – it's Farmers Group unit agreed to buy Bristol West a US auto liability insurer for USD 712m or USD 22.50/share (BB)

GeorgFischer(FI/N SW) – will have to rely on acquisitions to secure growth at its piping systems unit, plans to pay out CHF 100m through a reduction of the par value of its shares (NZZaS) Richemont(CFR VX) – Richemont and Polo Ralph Lauren to build watch Joint venture (BB)