The Swiss Stock Market Ended A Volatile Trading Session In The Green

(RTTNews) - The Swiss stock market finished in positive territory Wednesday, following a rather volatile day of trading. The market finished just shy of the 9,000 point level, after dropping below it yesterday. Investors will be watching for news from Thursday's meeting of the European Central Bank.

Economic data from the Eurozone was mixed today, with an unexpected rise in retail sales, but a downward revision to the private sector data. U.S. economic data was also mixed, with a better than expected services PMI report, but a disappointing read on private sector employment. Investors will be watching for the release of the U.S. jobs report for February on Friday.

The Swiss Market Index climbed by 0.42 percent Wednesday and finished at 8,992.50. The Swiss Leader Index rose by 0.33 percent and the Swiss Performance Index gained 0.35 percent.

The Index heavyweights all finished in the green. Nestle was the top gainer, with an increase of 1.1 percent. Novartis climbed by 0.2 percent and Roche added 0.1 percent.

Financial stocks turned in a strong performance Wednesday. Julius Baer advanced by 1.7 percent, while Credit Suisse and UBS both rose by 0.8 percent. Zurich Insurance also finished higher by 0.7 percent.

Sonova was one of the top performers of the session, with an increase of 2.0 percent. Actelion climbed by 0.8 percent. The U.S. FDA has accepted the company's new drug application for selexipag.

Shares of Transocean dropped by 2.2 percent. Swatch lost 1.4 percent after the company stated that it plans to appeal the ruling in a Dutch court pertaining to its dispute with Tiffany.