CH Closer

Swiss Market Index Slips Back into Red; Barry Callebaut Shares Down Swiss equities fell back into negative territory on Wednesday, reflecting cautious investor sentiment as geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran re-escalated. Joining a regional retreat in Europe, the Swiss Market Index was down XX% at closing. The NATO summit in Turkey continued into its second and final day, with US President Donald Trump saying the interim ceasefire agreement with Iran was "over" after the latter carried out airstrikes on US bases in Bahrain and Kuwait. Trump also made fresh threats to take control of Greenland and cut trade ties with Spain. On the macroeconomic front, the International Monetary Fund lowered its 2026 global growth forecast to 3% in its July World Economic Outlook report, down by 0.1 percentage point from its previous projection, mainly reflecting the effects of the Middle East war. For 2027, the expected global growth was increased by 0.2 percentage points to 3.4%. Back home, the Swiss Confederation sold two series of bonds worth 360 million francs in a reopening at an auction, with settlement set for July 22, 2026. The 2.25% and 2.50% bonds are due June 2031 and.