Roche/Novartis – dividend payments – Roche on March 8th CHF 3.40 – Novartis on March 9th CHF 1.35 (BB)

Speedel (SPPN SW) – several broker upgrades after Tekturna gets FDA approval – stock was up 25% yesterday (BB)

Richemont (CFR VX) – forms joint-venture with Polo Ralph Lauren (BB)

Pargesa (PARG SW) – FY06 revenues CHF 5.330bn (vs cons 5.165bn) / operating costs 4.952bn (vs cons 4.656bn) / net profit 2.293bn (vs 533m last year) Outlook: dividend increase by 10% to CHF 2.37/share (BB)

Valiant (VATN SW) – net profit 136m (vs 132m) / oper profit 169.5m (vs 162m) > Outlook: dividend raised to CHF 2.80/share (+special dividend CHF 1.40) to buyback up to 4.8% of shares – to ask for authorised capital (BB)

Oerlikon (OERL VX) – OE Oerlikon’s CEO Thomas Limberger is due to speak at an event organized by the American- Swiss Chamber of Commerce (BB)

BarryCallebaut (BARN SW) – CEO said he expects more companies to outsource their production (as Nestle did) over the coming years (F&W)

CharlesVögele (VCH SW) – company considers a hostile bid by a hedge fund a likely scenario after its ’06 loss – CEO expects 20-30% premium vs share price (Handelszeitung) Deutsche Bank increase price target from CHF 122 to CHF 130, rating buy (DB research update)

 Basilea (BSLN SW) – company holds its AGM today (BB)