Safra Group to acquire majority interest in highly regarded Bank Sarasin. Sarasin and the Safra Group are highly similar in their successful histories in international Private Banking, with well-capitalized financial foundations, shared emphasis on strong organizations, preservation of clients capital and continuity of client relationships – the Safra Group will reinforce Sarasin’s established position as an independent Swiss private bank and strengthen its strategy and business model under its well-recognized brand. Link: Click Here

Clear Commitment to Zurich Airport. The voters of the Canton of Zurich clearly rejected the cantonal referendum “Behördeninitiative II” (No new or expanded Runways) and the counterproposal. Flughafen Zürich AG is pleased to note that blocking Zurich Airport’s development is not acceptable for a majority of the voters. Link: Click Here

Schaffner: Georg Wechsler nominated for election to the Board of Directors. At the 16th Annual General Meeting on January 12, 2012, the Board of Directors of Schaffner Holding AG will nominate Georg Wechsler, 1956, Swiss, for election as an additional member of the Board of Directors. Georg Wechsler has served as Chief Financial Officer and Member of the Executive Group Management of Model Holding AG since 1994. Link: Click Here

Addex Pharmaceuticals (SIX:ADXN), a leading biopharmaceutical company pioneering allosteric modulation-based drug discovery and development, announced today that its scientists have demonstrated that, in the presence of GLP-1, glucagon-like-peptide-1 receptor (GLP1R) can form a heterodimer receptor complex with gastric-inhibitory-peptide-receptor (GIPR). Link: Click Here

Aryzta CEO: Food Group revenue increased by 9.6% in Q1 comprising of 4.4% underlying growth and 6.7% acquisition related growth. We have not seen any significant change in the trading environment since September and Q1 is broadly a continuation of Q4 trends. ARYZTA’s Q1 revenue performance is in line with expectations. We continue to view our outlook and guidance issued with our full year results on September 26th as valid. Our ATI investment programme continues to plan. Link: Click Here

Novartis announced today that Rasitrio, the first triple combination of aliskiren, amlodipine and hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) in a single pill has received approval from the European Commission (EC) for the treatment of high blood pressure. Link: Click Here



Economy
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S&P: Belgium Lowered To 'AA' On Financial Sector Risks To Public Finances; Outlook Negative. Standard & Poor's Ratings Services today lowered the long-term sovereign credit rating on the Kingdom of Belgium to 'AA' from 'AA+', while affirming the short-term rating at 'A-1+'. The outlook is negative. The transfer and convertibility assessment (T&C) remains 'AAA', as it does for all members of the eurozone. Link: Click Here

UK MPC's Fisher supports more QE but notes its limits. In an interview with The Sunday Times, MPC member Paul Fisher gave a clear signal that he is likely to vote for more QE in the coming months. He said he thought the £75bn of asset purchases announced in October was "the smallest amount I was absolutely sure we needed to do. I still think we might need to do some more. I don't have to decide that now." Link: Click Here

Italy: External and internal actions look increasingly likely. According to Italian daily newspaper La Stampa, the IMF is considering launching a financial aid programme worth between EUR400bn and EUR600bn to support Italy. Interest rates charged would be around 4.0%-5.0%, and the length of the programme would be 12-18 months. According to the newspaper, the Italian government could draw on the funds if the fiscal and pro-growth structural reforms "fail to stop speculation" on Italian debt. Link: Click Here