PubliGroupe is initiating strategic measures to sustainably strengthen its competitive position in an increasingly digital market environment. At the Investors’ Day in Zurich, the Group will present decisions aimed at securing its profitability for the long term. Link: Click Here

UBS: Philip J. Lofts, CEO UBS Group Americas, resumes his former role as UBS's Group Chief Risk Officer (CRO). Philip J. Lofts was Group CRO between November 2008 and December 2010, becoming CEO UBS Group Americas in January 2011. He joined UBS in 1984. Maureen Miskovic, Group Chief Risk Officer since January 2011, will leave UBS. Link: Click Here

Georg Fischer acquires US market leader in industrial piping systems. Georg Fischer announced today that it has agreed to acquire Harvel Plastics Inc., the US market leader for industrial plastic pipes. This is another step in the implementation of Georg Fischer’s strategy to further expand its piping systems business worldwide. Link: Click Here

Roche (SIX: RO, ROG) announced today that the cobas EGFR Mutation Test is now CE marked for commercial availability in Europe and other countries that recognize CE mark.  The cobas EGFR Mutation Test is a companion diagnostic to identify patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who harbor mutations in the EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) gene and who may benefit from treatment with anti-EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as Roche’s Tarceva® (erlotinib). Link: Click Here

Oerlikon Solar announced today another milestone to further reduce the cost of production for its Micromorph thin film silicon PV panels. Based on individual agreements between Oerlikon Solar and major global gas suppliers Air Liquide and Linde, Oerlikon Solar customers will be able to achieve a total gas budget of less than EUR 8,5 / panel. Link: Click Here

Sika acquires Duochem Inc. in Canada. Sika acquires Duochem Inc., a privately owned company that develops, manufactures and sells polymer flooring and waterproofing products for the construction industry.  Duochem Inc. is located in Boucherville (Quebec) with annual sales of approximately CHF 9 million. Link: Click Here

New Swisscom data subscriptions for tablets and notebooks. From 1 December 2011, Swisscom will be adjusting its Mobile Unlimited subscriptions for mobile surfing and working on the go. Swisscom will be offering flexible options for regular and occasional tablet or notebook usage, to which data packages can be added as required. The new offerings will replace the existing data subscriptions. Link: Click Here

Roche is increasing the payroll for its workforce of roughly 10,000 in Switzerland by 1.5 percent with effect from 1 April 2012. This increase is the outcome of negotiations between the company and employee representatives. The increase also takes account of the financial situation of Roche in Switzerland, market salaries and wages for comparable employment, and increases in the cost of living. Link: Click Here

Transocean Announces Proposed Senior Notes Offering. Transocean Ltd. (SIX: RIGN) today announced the proposed public offering of senior notes of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Transocean Inc. Transocean Ltd. expects to fully and unconditionally guarantee the senior notes. Link: Click Here

Actelion (SIX: ATLN) today announced the nomination of Professor Dr. Peter Gruss for election to the Company's Board of Directors (BoD) at the 2012 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of shareholders, to be held on 4 May 2012. Link: Click Here


Economy
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Coordinated central bank action boosts market sentiment. The Bank of Canada, the Bank of England, the Bank of Japan, the European Central Bank, the Federal Reserve, and the Swiss National Bank agreed today to lower the interest rate on dollar liquidity swap lines by 50bp so that the new rate will be the U.S. dollar overnight index swap (OIS) rate plus 50bp. Moreover, they extended these swap arrangements to February 1, 2013. In response, all major currencies appreciated sharply against the dollar and global stock prices surged, especially for European banks. Link: Click Here

Euro area unemployment rate spirals up to 10.3% in October. Euro area unemployment rate increased 0.1pp to 10.3% in October, in line with our expectations, (BC: 10.3%, consensus: 10.2%). This is the second consecutive 0.1pp uptick in the unemployment rate. Since April 2011 (in 7 months), the euro area unemployment rate has thus edged up by 4 tenths, while it had only dropped 3 tenths from 10.2% - its last cyclical peak in June 2010 - to 9.9% in 10 months. Link: Click Here

KOF Economic Barometer – The Downward Slide Continues. In November 2011 the KOF Economic Barometer continues to slide – down to a new low of 0.35. This suggests that Swiss economic growth is further losing momentum. Following the sharp declines recorded in the previous three months, the KOF Barometer continued its downward trend in November. In comparison to October (0.75, revised from 0.80),  the Barometer fell 0.40 points, and now stands at 0.35 points. The current KOF Economic Barometer signals that year-on-year growth of Swiss Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is likely to be minimal in the near future. Link: Click Here

Economic and Finance Ministers meeting 28-29 November. As expected, this meeting mainly focussed on 'maintenance' issues and as such delivered a mildly positive picture to markets, which will be waiting for more from the EU Heads of States meeting of the 9th December. From press reports (there is no official communiqué), the discussions delivered on two points: the EFSF leverage and Greece, and some comments on Italy. Link: Click Here